Do you accept the premise that now is the time to do something about early childhood education (ECE)? Do you know why stories matter so much in children’s learning? We appreciate your interest!
Developmental Objectives
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• Pique Curiosity
• Spark Creativity
• Build Consideration
• Boost Confidence
Collectively, these four core values encourage greater socialization and collaboration.
“Fun is just another word for learning.”
— Games and Learning (January 2016)
Tabula Raisa delivers tenfold:
• Expands Horizons
• Piques Curiosity
• Demystifies Cultures
• Sparks Creativity
• Increases Sensitivity
• Builds Consideration
• Improves Understanding
• Develops Awareness
• Invites Collaboration
• Boosts Confidence
The key lies in transforming the world into a child’s playground. We provide rich, dynamic excursions that draw children in through magic, color, secrets, life lessons, inspirational characters, immersive activities, fun games and tools, stacking resources, contests, and more.
Read what experts say is needed in early childhood education.
Why a Legend?
Folk tales may be the oldest form of writing for children. A recent study using phylogenetic analysis (often practiced in evolutionary biology) has traced them back thousands of years to the Bronze Age. They were most likely told in an extinct Indo-European language.
“Despite being disregarded as a lesser form of narrative, folk tales are excellent case studies for cross-cultural comparisons and studies on human behavior. This includes cooperation and decision-making.”
— Children’s Book Council (January 2016)
Why Geography?
Knowing that the world is so much more expansive than our finite location in it is both humbling and inspirational. Young children’s imaginations need not know boundaries. Their whole lives are ahead of them. They will meet people from all walks of life. What will they make of the relationships and opportunities?
Why Adventure?
Learning is unquestionably amplified through adventurous pursuits.
“The human spirit is born to explore and to grow, to create and to have community.”
— Huffington Post (January 2016)
“When you take people outside and get them to have a few adventures, the skills they learn are positivity, courage, determination, and resourcefulness.”
— Bear Grylls, explorer and TV presenter (February 2016)
Here are seven educational benefits with adventure:
• Learn to face and overcome fears.
• Experience greater rewards (which are often associated with greater risks).
• Feel more alive as you encounter and consider things that are otherworldly.
• Enjoy camaraderie and shared experiences when you venture with others.
• Expand your repertoire by learning and practicing new skills.
• Grow emotionally stronger when you struggle beyond your limits.
• Experience a greater sense of freedom and wonder.
“On the 150 anniversary of Alice in Wonderland, we’re reminded that being exposed to the world has a tremendous impact on the child’s visual, auditory, as well as cognitive growth. Although these advantages are not unknown to parents and guardians, most people are apprehensive about sending their children outside, thanks to the rampant ills of society. Counseling and safety measures should be ensured by educational institutions to make sure children go out more often.”
— The Times of India (November 2015)
“Adventures help you remember who you are, why you’re here, and who you were meant to become. It’s so easy for us to forget about the adventure that we need in our lives.”
— Good Men Project (September 2015)
Why Arts and Crafts?
A recent study on craft as it pertains to early childhood education reminded us that students are rarely given the tools and the time to turn good work into great work. It’s a challenge that faces many educational systems.
In an article through USA Today, an early childhood educator from Oregon underlined four benefits to early learners:
• Improve counting, measuring, and geometry skills
• Sharpen focus through increased patience
• Spark creativity
• Reduce stress
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
— Benjamin Franklin
“Tests will often emphasize breadth over depth. Students aim to complete assignments rather than master craftsmanship.”
— The Boston Globe (January 2016)
Arts and crafts can do more than just develop tactile skills. There are social benefits as well.
Idealist.org has promoted arts and crafts through opportunities with organizations like Volunteers Initiative Nepal which focus on three learning objectives for underprivileged children: to find a channel for self-expression, to connect with others, and to see the world differently.
In December 2015, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) published the findings of 18 peer-reviewed arts studies in early childhood education. These investigated the effects of the arts on children from birth to 8 years.
Two findings were clear:
• the arts strengthen “pro-social behaviors” like helping, sharing, caring, and empathizing.
• the arts help children learn how to better regulate their emotions.
One study reported that children aged 3 to 5 years old with autism had stronger “positive outcomes” (e.g., making and maintaining eye contact) when they participated in a 12-week arts program than when they took part in a more generic “play” program of the same length.
Barriers to participation remain low with the arts. All children instinctively know how to play with their hands. Imaginations are sparked. In adults, stress is reduced. Freed and ignited minds can problem-solve. They can think more clearly and critically.
Through crafts, children not only learn about the extra effort in handmade goods, but they also grow up to be savvier, more responsible consumers. Their perspective shows balance. Being more mature and more resourceful than one’s age become increasingly useful as a child advances in school, graduates, and eventually enters a career.
“Members of the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society — two elite collectives of exceptionally-talented, highly-accomplished scientists — are 1.7 and 1.9 times more likely to have an artistic or craft hobby than the average scientist. Nobel Prize winners are 2.85 times more likely than the average scientist to have an artistic or craft hobby.”
— Study, Sigma Xi Honor Society (from founding in 1886 to September 2015)
Crafts are often our keepsakes. They carry memories of vacations and pilgrimages, or they facilitate an emotional connection to a tradition that’s dear to us. Craftsmanship is also alive and well in the functional objects around our workplaces and homes. When something is well-crafted, it makes our lives easier and more enjoyable. Over time, we come to appreciate the importance of simple pleasures.
Why Lean Media?
Microsoft recently pointed out that humans have the attention span of goldfish (or worse). This can’t be ignored when creating educational children’s books or games.
“Our minds are adaptive systems, constantly re-organizing and refocusing our mental faculties to suit the environment. There’s no reason why the modern world should necessarily diminish our mental faculties — and no reason to fear them changing.”
— IFL Science (January 2016)commentary from a study conducted by Microsoft
Our focus is to encourage curiosity, imagination, creativity, exploration, play, and socialization. These activities don’t usually happen in front of a book or a traditional homework assignment. We seek to be the catalyst that leads to the kind of guided but independent breakthroughs that tend to happen away from school curriculum and the classroom. The sooner that we can inspire then assume the role of positive influence in the background, the better we’re doing as supplementary education.
Scan our product overview, or learn more about our tools for reading, exploring, and storytelling.
