Artificial intelligence media-assisted storytelling therapy as a solution for handling speech delay in early childhood
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26555/bs.v45i1.1245Keywords:
Artificial intelligence, Media-assisted, Storytelling Therapy, Speech DelayAbstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of Gemini AI-assisted storytelling therapy as an innovative approach to addressing speech delays in early childhood. Through qualitative methodology incorporating case studies, literature review, and action research with children aged 6-8 years, participants engaged in therapeutic storytelling sessions facilitated by Gemini AI, which generated personalized narratives based on individual abilities while providing real-time analysis of verbal responses. The AI system's adaptive algorithms continuously refined story content to match each child's developmental progress, creating an engaging learning environment throughout the intervention period. Sessions gradually increased linguistic complexity while incorporating children's preferences, fostering both communicative skills and emotional investment. Data collection included pre- and post-intervention assessments, recorded therapy sessions, parental interviews, and AI-generated progress reports tracking specific speech parameters. Results demonstrated significant improvements in vocabulary acquisition, sentence structure, and speaking confidence, with children exhibiting increased engagement during sessions while scheduling flexibility enhanced parental involvement. The findings confirm that AI-assisted storytelling therapy represents an effective intervention for speech delays, as the personalized content and real-time assessment capabilities complement traditional speech therapy approaches, potentially expanding accessibility to quality intervention while providing a scalable solution for the growing demand for specialized speech services.
References
Abdulov, R. (2020). Artificial Intelligence as an Important Factor of Sustainable and Crisis-Free Economic Growth. Procedia Computer Science, 169, 468–472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2020.02.223
A’diilah, N., & Irman, S. (2016). The effectiveness of storytelling therapy on anxiety in toddler and preschool children during nursing actions. Journal JKP, 4(3), 248-254. https://doi.org/10.24198/jkp.v4n3.4
Akbar, M. A., & Ismail, H. (2021). Language acquisition in child who speech delay. Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology, 13(2), 392-402 https://repository.ummat.ac.id/6275/1/6.%20%28Scopus%20Q2%29%20Language%20acquisition%20in%20child%20who%20speech%20delay.pdf
Alazemi, A. F. T. (2024). Formative assessment in artificial integrated instruction: delving into the effects on reading comprehension progress, online academic enjoyment, personal best goals, and academic mindfulness. Language Testing in Asia, 14(1), 44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40468-024-00319-8
Aprinawati, I. (2017). The use of serial picture media to improve early childhood speaking skills. Journal Obsesi : Journal of Early Childhood Education, 1, 72. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v1i1.33
Archibald, M. M., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2020). Poetry and mixed methods research. International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches, 12(2), 153. https://doi.org/10.29034/ijmra.v12n2editorial3
Ardianti, N., Kusyairy, U., & Tahir, M. Y. (2021). The use of singing to improve language development in speech delay children. Nanaeke, Indonesian Journal of Early Childhood Education, 4(4), 89-101. https://doi.org/10.24252/nananeke.v4i2.25880
Badawieh, M., & Al-Shamsi, A. (2023). The factors that impact the speech delay in the first three years of a child’s life. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 19(1), 13-20. https://www.jlls.org/index.php/jlls/article/view/5203
Budiarti, E., Kartini, R. D., Putri, H.S., Indrawati, Y., & Daisiu, K. F. (2023). Handling of children with speech delay age 5-6 using storytelling method in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Education, 4(2), 112-121. https://doi.org/10.36418/japendi.v4i2.1584
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Language and speech disorders in children. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/language-disorders.html
Chang, C.-Y., Hwang, G.-J., Chou, Y.-L., Xu, Z.-Y., & Jen, H.-J. (2023). Effects of robot-assisted digital storytelling on hospitalized children’s communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educational Technology Research and Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-023-10209-0PMC
Chamalah, E., & Nurryati, R. (2023). Religiosity in Tere Liye’s Janji novel (An approach to the sociology of literature). Journal Bahastra, 43(1), 61-77. https://doi.org/10.26555/bs.v43i1.355
Chamalah, E., Azizah, A., & Arjanggi, R. (2024). reading improve social development for mentally disabled people in Central Java. Strategic Research Collaboration Contemporary Poetry Aesthetics through Artificial Intelligence Assisted Imagination Therapy Media to Grant (Catalyst).
Christiner, M. (2018). Let the music speak: Examining the relationship between music and language aptitude in pre-school children. In Exploring Language Aptitude: Views from Psychology, the Language Sciences, and Cognitive Neuroscience, 149–166. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-91917-1_8
Clemente-Suárez, V. J., Beltrán-Velasco, A. I., Herrero-Roldán, S., Rodriguez-Besteiro, S., Martínez-Guardado, I., Martín-Rodríguez, A., & Tornero-Aguilera, J. F. (2024). Digital Device Usage and Childhood Cognitive Development: Exploring Effects on Cognitive Abilities. Children, 11(11), 1299. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11111299
Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. SAGE Publications.
Du, Y., Abbas, H., Taraman, S., Segar, S., & Bischoff, N. (2019). In-Home Speech and Language Screening for Young Children: A Proof-of-Concept Study Using Interactive Mobile Storytime. AMIA Joint Summits on Translational Science Proceedings, 2019, 722–731. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6568130/PMC
Depdiknas. (2008). Early childhood learning outcomes curriculum. Depdiknas.
Fauziddin, M., & Agustin, M. (2024). Symantic literature review: Manfaat Artificial Intelligence (AI) pada Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini di Indonesia. Jurnal Obsesi : Jurnal Pendidikan Anak Usia Dini, 8(6), 1475–1488. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v8i6.6236
Fika, Y., Meilanie, S., & Fridani, L. (2019). Improving children's speaking skills through culturally based role play. Journal Obsesi: Early Childhood Education Journal, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v4i1.229
Haeyen, S., van Hooren, S., & Hutschemaekers, G. (2020). A systematic review on the effects of art therapy for people with intellectual disabilities: Implications for clinical practice. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 70, 101688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2020.101688
Hartoyo, B. (2004). Basic concepts of early childhood education. BPPLSP.
Hasanah, N., & Sugito, S. (2020). Analysis of parenting patterns on speech delay in early childhood. Journal Obsesi: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 4(2), 913–922. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v4i2.456
Hidayat, R., & Santosa, P. P. P. (2019). Analysis of the novel Pudarnya Pesona Cleopatra by Habiburrahman El Shirazy in terms of the sociological aspect of literature. Bahastra Journal, 39(1), 39-48. https://doi.org/10.26555/bahastra.v39i1.12614
Hutson, J., & Schnellmann, A. (2023). The Poetry of Prompts: The Collaborative Role of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Creation of Poetry and the Anxiety of Machine Influence. Global Journal of Computer Science and Technology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.34257/GJCSTDVOL23IS1PG1
Jullien, S. (2021). Screening for language and speech delay in children under five years. 21(362). BMC Pediatrics 2021. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02817-7
Kaelin, V. C., Mina, V., Zurisadai, S., Natalie, P., & Mary, A. K. (2021). Artificial intelligence in rehabilitation targeting the participation of children and youth with disabilities: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(11), 25745. https://doi.org/10.2196/25745
Kim, J., Lee, J., & Choe, K. (2022). Community-based literature therapy and psychological well-being. Journal of Community Mental Health, 58(4), 673–681. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-021-00854-3
Khotimah, K., & Agustini, A. (2023). Implementation of Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory in early childhood. Journal Al Tahzib, 2(1),11-20. https://doi.org/10.54150/altahdzib.v2i1.196
Law, J., Boyle, J., Harris, F., Harkness, A., & Nye, C. (2010). Prevalence and natural history of primary speech and language delay: Findings from a systematic review of the literature. International Journal of Language& Communication Disorders, 35(2), 165-188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-6984.2000.tb00001.x
Lillywhite, A., & Wolbring, G. (2021). Coverage of ethics within the artificial intelligence and machine learning academic literature: The case of disabled peoplse. Assistive Technology Journal, 33(3), 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2019.1593259
Mansur. (2005). Early childhood education programs. Kencana.
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, M. A. (2007). Qualitative data analysis: an expanded sourcebook. SAGE Publications.
Morgan, A., Ttofari Eecen, K., Pezic, A., Brommeyer, K., Mei, C., Eadie, P., Reilly, S., & Dodd, B. (2017). Who to refer for speech therapy at 4 years of age versus who to “Watch and Wait”? The Journal of Pediatrics, 185, 200-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.02.059
Muluk, N. B., Bayouglu, B., & Anlar, B. (2020). A study of language development and affecting factors in children aged 5 to 27 months. Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal, 95(1), 23–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/014556131609500107
Nisma, N., & Ramly, R. (2024). Therapeutic innovation of DIR method in improving interpersonal communication of children with speech delay. Journal Fon, 20(2), 454-466. https://doi.org/10.25134/fon.v20i2.9244
Parker, T. S., & Wampler, K. S. (2010). Changing emotion: The use of therapeutic storytelling. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 32(2), 155–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-0606.2006.tb01597.x
Rahmah, F., Kotrunnada, S. A., Purwati, & Mulyadi, S. (2023). Handling speech delay in early childhood through speech therapy. Journal As-Sibyan, 8(1), 99-110. https://doi.org/10.32678/assibyan.v8i1.8279
Risman, K., Saleh, R., Susanto, A., & Hanafi, H. (2023). Islamic-based early childhood education. Journal Obsesi: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 7(5), 5539-5552. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v7i5.5165
Roca, P., Attye, A., Colas, L., & Tourdias, T. (2020). Artificial intelligence to predict clinical disability in patients with multiple sclerosis using FLAIR MRI. Diagnostic and Interventional Imaging Journal, 101(12), 795–802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diii.2020.05.009
Rosyad, A. M., & Zuchdi, D. (2018). Early childhood education according to law no. 20 of 2003 and the Islamic Education system. Social Harmony: Journal of Social Studies Education, 5(1), 79–92. https://doi.org/10.31943/afkar_journal.v3i2.123
Ruiyat, S., Yufiarti, Y., & Karnadi, K. (2019). Improving speaking skills by storytelling using thematic electronic comics. Jurnal Obsesi: Journal of Early Childhood Education, 3, 518-526. https://doi.org/10.31004/obsesi.v3i2.256
Samim, A. (2023). A new paradigm of artificial intelligence to disabilities. International Journal of Science and Research, 12(1), 473-482. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR23111022532
Saxby, G. (2022). Searching for a happily ever after: Using fairy tales in primary classrooms to explore gender, subjectivity and the life-worlds of young people. Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, 45(1), 219-232. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44020-022-00017-z
Seo, K., Tang, J., Roll, I., Fels, S., & Yoon, D. (2021). The impact of artificial intelligence on learner–instructor interaction in online learning. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-021-00292-9
Siu, A. L. (2015). Screening for speech and language delay and disorders in children aged 5 years or younger: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. Pediatrics, 136(2), e474–81. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-1711
Silva, G., Godwin, G., & Jayanagara, O. (2024). The Impact of AI on Personalized Learning and Educational Analytics. International Transactions on Education Technology (ITEE), 3(1), 36–46. https://doi.org/10.33050/itee.v3i1.669
Suryadi. (2019). Effective tips in educating children. Edsa Mahkota.
Vries, P. (2008). Parental perception of music in storytelling sessions in a public library. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(5), 473–478. https://www.artsedsearch.org/study/parental-perceptions-of-music-in-storytelling-sessions-in-a-public-library/
Wallace, I. F., Berkman, N. D., Watson, L. R., Coyne-Beasley, T., Wood, C. T., Cullen, K., & Lohr, K. (2015). Screening for speech and language delay in children 5 years old and younger: A systematic review. Pediatrics, 135(5), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-3889
Xue, E., & Li, J. (2020). The universal development of pre-school education in poor areas. in education poverty alleviation policy in China. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-4773-1

Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Evi Chamalah, Aida Azizah, Yosi Wulandari, Oktarina Puspita Wardani

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.