A Phygital Approach to Playful Experience in Learning Process for Kids with Special Educational Needs

Screen-based interactive devices stand as effective supports for playful experience in learning processes for kids with special educational needs. The paper presents a design path of the development of a new phygital tool able to support and to improve the treatment of some learning disorder. In line with the state-of-the-art of theoretical research about playful learning in children with special needs, the research moves from the development of ‘1,2,3 Stella!’ app, that works with a screen-based interaction learning process, to the possibilities offered by product-screen interaction. The research, through tests on prototype provided by NuovaMente Children's Diagnostic Centre, concludes that the development of hybrid reality game, involving both physical and virtual reality, improves therapeutic treatment in children with special needs.