New HITN collaborative launches research-based digital education resources for preschoolers

The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network (HITN) and Early Learning Collaborative (ELC) announced two new tablet-based Pocoyó PlaySets, designed to provide fun and engaging experiences for young children as they develop English language, reading and math skills. The Pocoyó PlaySet applications were developed in partnership with Zinkia Entertainment, S. A., the creator of Pocoyó, and funded, in part, through a Ready to Learn research grant from the U. S. Department of Education Office of Innovation and Improvement. Currently available on tablets and mobile devices, the Pocoyó PlaySets are being developed with the support of ongoing formative research conducted by the Michael Cohen Group LLC (MCG) as well as large-scale summative studies, also conducted by MCG, to assess the educational efficacy of these digital products before their commercial release which is estimated for late 2013. The first two PlaySets focus on supporting English language development and early literacy skills for three-to-five-year-old children whose primary language is Spanish.“As a parent, grandparent, lifelong educator, member of the NY State Governor’s Commission on Education Reform, and the founder and head of a PBS-like station dedicated to educating as well as entertaining Latino populations, I fully understand and endorse quality early childhood education as a critical lever in promoting college and career readiness for all children, but particularly for children living in low income households and for those who are English learners,” said José Luis Rodríguez, CEO of HITN. “Young children are born wired to learn. Over the years, we have seen the impact Pocoyó and his friends have had on helping to support the academic, social and emotional development of young children,” said José María Castillejo, president and CEO of Zinkia Entertainment.