Scientific studies have shown that 90% of a child’s brain development happens before the age of five. From 1 to 2 years old, babies begin to explore and discover things. At 2.5 to 3 years old, toddlers start to develop their personalities and expand their vocabulary. When they turn 3.5 years old, they start to interact with other kids and adults.
This underscores how vital early childhood education (ECE) is for every child’s lifelong learning development. In fact, a 2019 study published by Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) found that learners who were reported to perform early literacy and numeracy tasks very well scored over one standard deviation higher than their peers who could not do these tasks well. This is proof that the urgency of calling attention to ECE is not just a local conversation, but something that is being championed on the international scene.
“As a lifelong learning partner to every Filipino, Rex Education has always believed that investing in ECE and the early development of foundational skills in our children is crucial in making sure they are ready for life. As we launch our newest brand, Little Explorers, we hope to fuel the conversation on the importance of early childhood care and development (ECCD) in the Philippines and empower parents and learning companions of our children with quality, research-based, and age-appropriate learning solutions to start their children’s learning even before formal schooling,” said Don Timothy Buhain, chief executive officer of Rex Education.
Little Explorers: Learning starts at home
Parents are the most critical contributors and champions of education for children at home. Little Explorers hopes to inspire parents and guardians to be more purposeful about enhancing the learning environment of the kids and to observe ECCD practices at home, so children can start their journey early in becoming Filipino whole learners—healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented.
With over 100 titles for release, Little Explorers offers solutions to help children develop the six developmental domains identified as critical in the National Early Learning Framework (NELF) policy document of the government-mandated ECCD Council:
- Language Development: Develop and grow vocabulary and conversation skills through age-appropriate exercises
- Physical Health, Well-being and Motor Development: Develop fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination
- Character and Values Development: Impart an understanding of honest, manners, love, respect, and other good morals
- Cognitive/Intellectual Development: Boost critical thinking and attention skills
- SocialEmotional development: Develop and improve empathy, self-awareness, and social interaction
- Creative-Aesthetic development: Develop a child’s innate talent and creative skills
“We share the hearts of our Edukampyon parents and guardians, who want nothing but the best for their children, this is why we believe that the best learning experiences start at home. Using REX’s wealth of research, experience, and partners on lifelong and early childhood learning, we carefully crafted Little Explorers to help establish strong foundations and promote proper holistic development in our children as early as possible,” adds Buhain.
Unlock the potential of our little explorers
To kickstart every Filipino child’s learning journey at home, REX launched Little Explorers on December 1, 2022, at Novotel, Cubao. With the theme, “Early Childhood Education matters: Strengthening the development and foundations for learning of young children,” the event aimed to spark conversations on the importance of ECE and put Little Explorers in the hands of every young learner and every Edukampyon parent and learning companion who wants to set their children up for success
Media guests and influencers were invited to step into the world of our kids, so they can explore and understand better what young learners need—and how Little Explorers can help address those essentials.
During the event, carnival booth games and other activities were put up to encourage attendees to tap into their inner child. Young children were also present and had a fun time during the activities. Giant book covers of Little Explorers titles were set up for guests to scan so they can enjoy augmented reality experiences.
A panel discussion with Gender Studies Chairperson of the Philippine Social Science Council Dr. Excelsa Tongson, DSD, Chief Operations Officer of Richwell Philippines Inc. Maye Yao Co Say, and Senior Sales Manager of WOOP Mama Club Stephanie Alviso was also held to share and exchange knowledge on the topic: “How to unlock our young learners’ potential by focusing on Early Childhood Education.”