IMPLEMENTING CANVA IN PRESCHOOL EDUCATION: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON DIGITAL VISUAL LEARNING / ИМПЛЕМЕНТИРАНЕ НА CANVA В ПРЕДУЧИЛИЩНОТО ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ: ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛНО ИЗСЛЕДВАНЕ ВЪРХУ ДИГИТАЛНОТО ВИЗУАЛНО ОБУЧЕНИЕ

Autors/ores

  • Elena Boncheva Kindergarten "Ralitsa", Voyvodinovo, Bulgaria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v12i10.6202

Paraules clau:

Canva, preschool education, digital learning, early childhood development, visual learning tools, educational technology / Canva, предучилищно образование, дигитално обучение, ранно детско развитие, визуални обучителни инструменти, образователни технологи

Resum

This research investigates the effects of incorporating Canva, a digital graphic design tool, into the preschool educational environment. The study was conducted at Kindergarten “Ralitsa” in Voyvodinovo, Bulgaria, during the 2024/2025 academic year, involving two cohorts of five children aged 6 to 7 years. The experimental cohort participated in learning activities enhanced with Canva-based visual tasks and interactive games, whereas the control cohort followed conventional teaching methods. Findings indicate that the experimental group exhibited significant advancements in cognitive abilities, verbal expression, creativity, attention regulation, independence, and social engagement. These results underscore the potential of digital visual platforms to foster comprehensive developmental outcomes in early childhood education. The paper discusses the implications of integrating Canva as an effective, engaging, and accessible educational resource for practitioners aiming to innovate pedagogical practices through digital technologies.

Настоящото изследване разглежда ефектите от въвеждането на Canva – дигитален инструмент за графичен дизайн – в предучилищната образователна среда. Проучването е проведено в ДГ „Ралица“, с. Войводиново, България, през учебната 2024/2025 година и включва две групи по пет деца на възраст от 6 до 7 години. Експерименталната група участва в обучителни дейности, обогатени с визуални задачи и интерактивни игри, създадени с помощта на Canva, докато контролната група следваше традиционни методи на преподаване. Резултатите показват, че децата от експерименталната група демонстрират значителен напредък в когнитивните умения, вербалната изразителност, креативността, уменията за съсредоточаване, самостоятелността и социалното взаимодействие. Изводите подчертават потенциала на дигиталните визуални платформи да подпомагат цялостното развитие в ранното детство. Статията разглежда и възможностите за интегриране на Canva като ефективен, достъпен и ангажиращ образователен ресурс за педагози, стремящи се към иновации чрез дигитални технологии.

 

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Biografia de l'autor/a

  • Elena Boncheva, Kindergarten "Ralitsa", Voyvodinovo, Bulgaria

    Elena Boncheva is a qualified preschool teacher currently working at Kindergarten "Ralitsa" in Voyvodinovo, Bulgaria. She holds two master’s degrees: one in International Economic Relations and another in Pedagogy, the latter marking the beginning of her dedicated career in early childhood education since 2023. Prior to her pedagogical qualification, Elena gained extensive professional experience in the economic sector, specifically within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, where she held various leadership roles. This diverse background enriches her educational philosophy and practical approach. Elena’s research interests focus on the implementation of modern software applications, digital platforms, and tools for creating interactive visual content that facilitate young children’s deeper understanding of otherwise complex concepts. She places special emphasis on early childhood education, considering this developmental period critical for establishing foundational skills, knowledge, and competencies essential for lifelong learning. This publication represents Elena’s first scientific article. Importantly, it constitutes a natural and anticipated extension of the research conducted as part of her master’s thesis work, entitled “Forming Mathematical Concepts in Preschool Children through Block Programming.” The article presents the findings of a pilot study carried out during the 2024–2025 academic year that forms a component of an ongoing empirical investigation. This research endeavor aims to substantiate the hypothesis that digital competence among preschool educators is an indispensable prerequisite for effective and modern pedagogical interaction. Moreover, it highlights how the incorporation of digital content within the learning process facilitates children’s comprehension of challenging concepts. While Elena actively utilizes ResearchGate mainly as a platform to explore academic literature and scientific publications, she is currently in the initial stages of developing her own publication portfolio and does not yet maintain profiles on additional academic networking sites such as ORCID or Academia.edu. Her work is deeply motivated by both professional commitment and personal experience as a parent, striving to integrate innovative pedagogical methodologies with technological tools to foster creativity, engagement, and cognitive growth among preschool learners.

Referències

Atlantis Press. (2023). Development of Canva-based picture storybook media to increase early childhood interest in reading: This study demonstrates how Canva can be used to create engaging picture storybooks that enhance early childhood interest in reading through attractive visual design and interactivity. Proceedings of ICOESSE 2023. https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125994301.pdf

Basica Journal of Primary Education. (2025). The effectiveness of using Canva application as a learning medium in science subjects at elementary schools: This research highlights Canva’s role in making abstract science concepts more accessible and engaging for young learners, supporting cognitive development and collaborative learning. https://ejournal.insuriponorogo.ac.id/index.php/basica/article/download/6393/3735/36096

Bircu Journal. (2021). Improving student achievement through the application of Canva during online learning: The study reports increased academic achievement and motivation among elementary students using Canva as a digital learning tool, emphasizing creativity and engagement. https://www.bircu-journal.com/index.php/birci/article/download/4359/pdf

ADPEBI International Journal of Business and Social Science. (2025). The effect of Canva application on learning interest and critical thinking of elementary school students: An experimental study showing that Canva-based learning media positively and significantly affect students’ learning interest and critical thinking skills. https://journal.adpebi.com/index.php/IJBS/article/view/1306

Egyptian Journal. (2024). The performance of Canva as a digital teaching tool for artistic skills: Findings indicate that Canva enhances student interest, engagement, creativity, and confidence, which are crucial for holistic development. https://journals.ekb.eg/article_403421_cc3fbd631e8e2fea7c5931421ffad23e.pdf

All Multidisciplinary Journal. (2024). Innovative learning design using Canva and Padlet for teachers: This research explores innovative instructional designs incorporating Canva, emphasizing its practical benefits for educators in creating interactive and visually appealing learning materials.

Zenodo. (2025). The effectiveness of Canva as an instructional tool in improving students' academic performance: A meta-analysis confirming Canva’s significant positive impact on academic performance across various subjects and educational levels, reinforcing its value as an educational innovation. https://zenodo.org/records/15107178

Descàrregues

Publicat

2025-08-13

Número

Vol. 12 Núm. 10 (2025)

Secció

Articles

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