SPACETOON TV, one of the most popular children television channels in the Arab World, has launched Spacetoon Education, a division dedicated to creating educational content to support national school curricula and help children develop 21st century skills.

“For the last 16 years we have strived to provide the best possible programs for children 4 to 16 years old because we recognized the enormous reach and influence television has on development of young minds,” said Fayez Al Sabbah, Spacetoon CEO. “Today’s children are growing up in an increasingly complex world and we have a responsibility to help prepare them for life-long-learning and equip them with 21st century skills.”

Spacetoon Education will be headed by Eng. Mohammed Khair Al-Nahhas, who is TETRIX Education certified trainer and was formerly with the world renowned LEGO Education Foundation.

“MENA schools provide a traditional subject-based approach to learning,” said Eng. Al-Nahhas. “Our strategy is to supplement their formal learning by focusing on their personal development and life skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, communications and self-confidence.”

Spacetoon Education will work with education authorities and international experts to develop education opportunities in multi-media formats and learning tools and resources that can be accessed in schools and at home.

Spacetoon’s famous “Planets” programming schedule will dedicate the “Abjad Planet”, and the “Science Planet” to showcase educational programming correspond with preschool, lower primary and upper primary curricula.

“Starting young means we are building a strong foundation for all future development,” said Al Sabbagh. “Early childhood development forms the basis of intelligence, personality, social behavior, and capacity to learn and nurture oneself as an adult. This stage can empower children with a love of learning, scientific curiosity, and positive social relations, but it is also a time of vulnerability to negative influences,” he added. “Our goal is to help children develop their utmost skills and capacities to be confident and respected members of their family, society, and global community.

Educational programs and solutions will debut at beginning of the second term in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Special school based projects focusing on public speaking, financial literacy, science and technology and space exploration are already in the works with local schools and education systems in UAE. — SG