Funday Times

Launch of Kidsmart
By Lakmali Jayasinghe
The “Kidsmart Early Learning Programme”, an interactive programme for kids with a difference, was launched on October 20th. This is designed for children attending child-care and pre-school centres. IBM got together with The Ministry of Education for the launch of this project. Fifty schools have already been selected covering all the districts of the island. IBM gifted 30 more schools with “Kid Smart” computers at this event.

“The Young Explorer Early Learning Centre” is a multimedia centre specially designed to be both child and teacher friendly. The computer is pre-loaded with educational software that inspires creativity, helps develop problem-solving skills and actively engages kids in the learning process. The programme features lots of colours, shapes, letters, numbers and sounds. Just like in computer games, there are also multiple levels of difficulties. “Bailey’s Book house” is an interactive programme that allows children to build up a story on their own. “Millie’s Math House” makes figuring math a piece of cake!

“The Young Explorer Fun and Learning Computer Centre” can stand up to a classroom of active children. The child-sized bench comfortably seats two. The monitor is at the child’s eye-level and the mouse and the keyboard within easy reach of little arms. A flat surfaced keyboard with large, brightly-coloured keys makes it easy for small fingers to choose buttons and learn the eye-hand coordination needed to operate a computer. The right and left-handed mouse pads are another convenience. A sturdy housing keeps the computer, monitor and wires out of the way.

So far, 3000 children attending 30 New Model Primary Schools initiated by the government enjoy happy lessons with “Kidsmart”. The IBM “Kidsmart” programme partners include The New Model Primary School Project of The Ministry of Education, Early Childhood Development Department of the Open University of Sri Lanka and Sarvodaya and the SOS Children’s Villages.

Back to Mirror Magazine