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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Koji Sakai, Yuki Ishimaki, Yuko Mizuno
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DOI:10.17265/2159-5542/2026.05.001
Kyoto Koka University, Kyoto, Japan; Foods Company, Kracie, Ltd., Osaka, Japan; Kyoto Koka University, Kyoto, Japan
This study examined the educational value of interactive confectionery-making kits through three experiments with children. Experiment 1 investigated the effects of information load and presentation format on comprehension of preparation instructions. Comprehension decreased as information load increased, and a significant interaction was found between information load and presentation format. Experiment 2 showed an overall increase in self-esteem from before to after the confectionery activity. Although the confectionery type × time interaction was not significant for the overall eight-item self-esteem score, item-level analyses revealed significant interactions for two of the eight items. The more open-ended product also received higher ratings for willingness to persist and to share or explain the completed product. In Experiment 3, behavioral observations indicated more frequent trial-and-error and creative behaviors with the open-ended product, together with some behaviors suggesting positive self-evaluation, such as showing or explaining completed products to family members. Overall, interactive confectionery-making may provide an experiential learning activity in which children comprehend instructions, carry out tasks, engage in trial and error and creative exploration, and achieve successful completion. These findings also suggest that educational design should balance clear, cognitively manageable instructions with opportunities for autonomous exploration.
DIY Candy Kit (Chiiku-Gashi®), working memory, self-esteem, experiential learning, trial and error
Koji Sakai, Yuki Ishimaki, Yuko Mizuno. (2026). Cognitive and Psychological Characteristics of Children Engaged With DIY Candy Kit (Chiiku-Gashi): Instructional Design and Psychological Processes During Confectionery Making. Psychology Research, Vol. 16, No. 5, 239-250. doi:10.17265/2159-5542/2026.05.001.
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