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Smart releases free video learning resources for kids

Written By Gracey Maala
Published • November 4th, 2020
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Smart Communication Inc. partners with the Department of Education (DepEd) to roll out video materials suitable for teachers’ virtual classes needs as aligned with the department’s Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC).

A month after the release of its free learning materials, the company now delivers video resources, including the LearnSmart e-Storytelling series, Maging Laging Handa disaster-readiness videos, and Kalye Mabunga gardening web series, which are all ideal for kids.

The LearnSmart e-Storytelling Series was initially launched in May 2020. The main storyteller Rey Bufi is the founder of The Storytelling Project, Smart’s partner organization that teaches kids about the value of reading in remote communities.

The supplemental learning materials for virtual classes are packed with 31 e-Storytelling episodes that were enhanced with Filipino sign language translation. The stories aim to teach children about their own uniqueness and the importance of values like acceptance, inclusivity, courage, and obedience. These are completed with an in-depth analysis by a child psychologist. Moreover, the contents are mostly in the mother tongue for a better and easier understanding. This is also aligned with the company’s goal to provide original homegrown content in local languages to local communities.

Maging Laging Handa, meanwhile, carries DepEd’s initiative to integrate disaster risk reduction in the education curriculum. The video series comprises precautionary measures and safety tips for different disasters such as typhoons, floods, tsunamis, storm surges, earthquakes, and landslides. The materials are reviewed and approved by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

It features Tonipet Gabba as an online instructor with three puppets: Inay Lena (a mother hen), Brownie (a dog), Kali (a carabao), along with original Tagalog songs to make it more exciting. It also includes a DepEd co-developed teacher’s guide on how the videos can be integrated into the curriculum.

Lastly, Smart and the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI) provided a web series called Kalye Mabunga to educate children about food security basics. Each episode runs a 10-minute video about vegetables, fruits, and herbs, including tips on garden maintenance, proper habits, making gardening supplies out of recycled materials, and using plants for art projects to encourage children to engage and develop interest with plants.

The video learning resources: e-Storytelling Sessions, Kalye Mabunga, and Maging Laging Handa are accessible and downloadable for free on YouTube. It can also be accessed for free through the DepEd portal by Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers.