Julie Torpegaard
Papers
1
Total Citations
15
H-Index
1
About
Julie Torpegaard’s research lies at the vibrant intersection of early childhood education, human-robot interaction, and play-based learning. Her most-cited work, “Preschool children’s social and playful interactions with a play-facilitating cardboard robot” (2021, 15 citations), is a landmark study that introduced a low-cost, tangible robot designed to foster spontaneous, child-led play. By observing how preschoolers naturally engaged with this simple, non-intimidating technology, Torpegaard demonstrated that even minimal robotic design can elicit rich social behaviors—such as turn-taking, imitation, and collaborative storytelling—without adult scaffolding. This contribution challenges assumptions about the complexity needed for educational robots and offers a scalable, accessible model for integrating technology into early childhood settings. Her work has been influential in shaping design guidelines for child-robot interaction, emphasizing simplicity, agency, and open-ended play. Torpegaard’s research not only advances theoretical understanding of how young children perceive and relate to animate objects but also provides practical insights for educators and technologists seeking to support social development through play. Her findings continue to inspire new directions in developmental robotics and inclusive learning technologies.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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