How The Shammies learned

All four project partners sought to improve the effectiveness of the children’s learning and efficiency of the learning process based on advanced learning methodologies.
 

The direct value that partners with the help of the project brought to the market are a series of interactive books for use not only in kindergartens but also at homes. The project enabled bringing together different knowledge, skills, and experience. The Digital Learning Systems OÜ from technology implementation side, the Liels un mazs SIA from storytelling, visual design & content side, universities (the University of Tartu, University of Latvia) learning methodologies & implementation. Also, teachers and educational experts from Estonia and Latvia contributed to the development & testing processes of the creation of books, in order to get more practical solutions and feedback.

Jointly developed products and materials:

• Five different books, their prototypes - The Shammies’ Home, The Shammies at the Table, The Shammies’ Town, The Shammies in the Countryside, The Shammies’ Book of Time;
• A game (prototype);
• Teacher’s Book (guidelines on how to use books and activities with the materials).

Pre-marketing activities included local marketing activities, such as presentations, workshops, social media activities, and usage of other media channels. Internationally the books were promoted at Bologna, London & Frankfurt book fairs. The Liels un mazs SIA introduced the results at China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair.
 

The clear impact of the project is illustrated by the evidence that 8 books and a smartpen that plays those books are available in Estonia and in Latvia. The books have received warm welcoming not only from kindergartens/teachers but also from parents and children. Books are being used in the immersion programs as well.

The Liels un mazs SIA has sold close to 1000 pens and a number of books in the Latvian market. Books and pens are available online and in bookstores. Digital Learning Systems OÜ has sold over 1600 books of The Shammies.

This project enabled a unique opportunity to cooperate with the private & public sectors, convert theoretical knowledge into user-friendly & sellable applications.

Websites of project partners - dilesy.com and liels un mazs

Euro News broadcast: https://www.euronews.com/2019/12/02/teaching-children-the-love-of-books-find-out-how-a-new-learning-tool-works 

Project materials

Article "Audio-book "How The Shammies Learn?" for preschool education",

by L.Daniela (University of Latvia) and M.Jürimäe (University of Tartu, Estonia)