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About

Dr. Michelle M. Neumann is a leading researcher at the intersection of early childhood education and emerging digital technologies, with a particular focus on how young children learn and interact with social robots. Her work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of how preschoolers engage with robotic companions in educational settings, examining both the potential benefits and practical challenges of integrating these technologies into classrooms. Her most influential paper, "Social Robots and Young Children’s Early Language and Literacy Learning" (101 citations), established foundational insights into how robotic interactions can support foundational literacy skills. Neumann’s research uniquely explores the dynamics of child-robot engagement, comparing it to human-led instruction (28 citations) and examining how individual differences in children’s personalities and developmental stages affect their interactions (9 citations). She has also given voice to educators, surveying teachers on the benefits and barriers of using social robots in early childhood settings (13 citations). Through observational studies of drawing tasks and classroom activities, Neumann continues to ask critical questions about whether social robots represent transformation or disruption in preschool environments, making her work essential reading for educators, technologists, and researchers navigating the digital future of early learning.