Together with BOOKR Kids, COPUBLICA and Harper Collins, Learning Planet Institute joins the LEGO Foundation's “Build a World of Play” initiative to offer the first family-centered, intergenerational storytelling-based social-emotional learning solution for early childhood development.Although families with children aged 0-6 spend more time together, the digital age means they talk to each other less than ever (Ortiz-Ospina, 2020). COVID-19 has had a further negative impact on children's social and emotional capacities. In response to this challenge, the Planète Enfants Institute has teamed up with BOOKR Kids (Hungary), COPUBLICA (Denmark) and Harper Collins (USA) to offer a playful home-based storytelling solution for socio-emotional learning (SEL). This new solution will include digital and non-digital tools, community and family outreach, SEL expertise and advocacy for transformative SEL policies that impact the well-being and holistic development of children aged 0-6.
Intergenerational transmission to learn from each other
From the earliest age, families can be the primary vehicle for storytelling. Through stories, families share emotions and social skills, such as building trust, cultivating norms, transferring tacit knowledge and creating emotional bonds. As Leonora Dowley, Head of Partnerships at the Planet Learning Institute, reminds us,“socio-emotional learning is key to early childhood development“
Involving family members as partners in the learning process will make it more meaningful, especially in countries where almost half of all pre-school-age children are not enrolled in a pre-school.(UNICEF). The proposed environmental education solution for families is a vital, complementary and potentially preventive element in improving children's well-being. As an organization committed to learning, we believe in the power of social and emotional skills to develop social and emotional intelligence. Sharing individual experiences will help children learn from previous generations, and develop new ways of learning and thinking to meet today's challenges for a better tomorrow.
Influencing and helping governments to accelerate specific actions in favor of lifelong learning
The project will be rolled out in five countries on five continents - Brazil, Hungary, Rwanda, Indonesia and the USA, representing thousands of local communities with very different preschool SEL systems and strategies. In addition, the consortium, supported by the’Alliance #LearningPlanet, will engage with local ministries (education and family), local NGOs and other stakeholders to feed into and support any existing social and/or educational programs for families.
Our partnersBOOKR Kids have extensive experience in storytelling technology for children. The company employs 36 storytelling specialists. BOOKR Kids is a financially strong company, partly owned by Móra, Hungary's largest publishing house, and whose CEO is Dorka Horvath, who holds a doctorate in education. COPUBLICA, based in Denmark, has implemented large-scale educational projects all over the world, including in target countries. Using a proven digital tool powered by Whatsapp, COPUBLICA can reach 50 % of all families through their existing Whatsapp channels in target countries.HarperCollins Publishers is the world's second-largest publisher of mass-market books. With a 200-year history, HarperCollins publishes over 10,000 new books every year. HarperCollins authors include Nobel Prize winners. HarperCollins has SEL expertise and an extensive SEL-focused library for children, caregivers and parents.
