Q4 Blog: Enhancing Education Through Bilingualism with Smile & Learn
“Smile and Learn is an educational tool that motivates and enhances student learning. Achieving research projects like the ones we carry out at Smile and Learn is not easy, which reaffirms the interest of the entities to support this evaluation of our digital material for inclusion in educational centers. The results obtained have been very positive for Smile and Learn and its main beneficiaries are, as is our objective, the children.”
AWE: “What are some new and engaging projects that Smile & Learn has been working on?
S&L: “Smile and Learn has been actively expanding its offerings with exciting new developments. We’ve introduced robotics and programming content, including both theoretical videos and practical activities, to engage students in key STEM areas. Our reading resources have been enhanced with materials aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), featuring texts adapted to multiple levels of vocabulary and grammar so that all students, regardless of their proficiency, can enjoy the same stories. We’re also working on collaborative gameplay to foster teamwork and interaction. Additionally, we’re launching financial education resources to build essential life skills and expanding our socioemotional learning content. This now ranges from recognizing and managing emotions to developing conflict resolution strategies tailored to different developmental stages!”
AWE: “How do kids utilize Smile & Learn in and out of the classroom and how has it benefited their education?”
S&L: “Inside the classroom, students benefit from engaging activities that align with curricula, including videos, games, and interactive exercises that reinforce subjects like math, science, and literacy. Teachers can utilize the platform to create personalized learning experiences, adapting content to each child’s needs and monitoring their progress. Outside the classroom, Smile & Learn extends the learning experience with activities that go beyond academics, focusing on personal growth. These include socioemotional learning resources to help children understand and manage emotions, as well as activities that develop logical and critical thinking skills. By exploring such a variety of topics, students are encouraged to discover more about their interests and strengths, fostering curiosity and self-awareness not just in the classroom but also with their families in their homes. The platform’s focus on holistic development ensures that children not only master academic skills but also gain tools to navigate the world around them, making learning meaningful and impactful both in school and at home.
AWE: “How beneficial has it been in utilizing both English and Spanish versions of the content? How do public libraries benefit from utilizing Smile & Learn?”
S&L: “The dual-language feature of Smile & Learn, with content available in both English and Spanish, significantly enhances its educational value by fostering bilingualism and language development. Children benefit from being exposed to two languages simultaneously, improving their linguistic skills, cognitive flexibility, and cultural understanding. For non-native speakers, this feature provides an accessible way to learn English or Spanish in an engaging and interactive environment, while native speakers can deepen their skills or learn a second language effortlessly and can use the activities to develop their reading skills in their native language.”
AWE: How can/do public libraries benefit from utilizing Smile & Learn in their learning spaces?”
S&L: “Public libraries benefit immensely from incorporating Smile & Learn into their offerings. The platform provides libraries with a comprehensive, diverse, and engaging resource that caters to children ages 3 to 12. It allows libraries to support their community by promoting literacy, language learning, and STEM skills through interactive activities, audiobooks, and videos. Libraries can also use Smile & Learn to host workshops or language-learning sessions, attract families looking for educational resources, and ensure equitable access to high-quality digital content.
Overall, Smile & Learn strengthens libraries’ roles as community hubs for education and cultural enrichment while empowering young learners to thrive in a bilingual and increasingly interconnected world.”
Learn more about Smile and Learn HERE