Personalized Learning for Early Learners
Sotheara Veng, Shannon Bishop, Teomara A. Rutherford · 2025
In this chapter, we explore the current approaches, opportunities, challenges, and best practices for implementing personalized learning (PL) systems for early learners. We discuss common features of PL programs for learners in early school settings, such as mastery-based progression, interest-driven choices, and adaptive difficulty. It also explores how these features align with developmentally appropriate practices and the early schooling environment. A detailed case study of the PBS KIDS game Fish Force is provided as an exemplar of a PL program to illustrate how PL principles can be applied in an educational game for young learners. Finally, we address the challenges of balancing individualization with the need for social learning, the role of teacher facilitation in PL environments, and the importance of accessible design. Recommendations for the design and implementation of PL systems are provided to support educators and developers with optimizing student learning.