Monday, August 4, 2014
What are we all about?
A group of passionate historians researched
the impact of images on early age of infancy (mainly, 18 months to 3
years*) and put together this innovative app.
It presents iconic historic moments
through interactions with the images that are deeply associated with them.
These images had a role in the making of American culture, beliefs and society.
The historical accuracy on all images
presented and the way they were put together to make it pleasurable and yet
educational makes it worth checking the extremely high
quality of this app.
*Although in the test conducted 4-5 year olds
also were amused and very interested using the interactions in more complex
ways
How
it works
All episodes are based on the concept of
presenting to children/kids 3 very defined moments:
1. The departure (always based on the real
scenery of where it actually took place);
2. The journey (Transition, change of
landscapes and action);
3. The arrival (Different environment,
destination, accomplishment).
Conveying these notions in 3 screens is an
important educational tool. Another educational tool was created to
'guide' the children through the historic journey: A cute and fun
character called Peekaboo Peet. He is a friendly and curious
hedgehog that kids love.
Peet pops up in unexpected places. He guides and
he surprises. He is everywhere and he participates but, as the child, he is an
observer. The developers also have a very interesting concept they named peek
and seek, which is a series of strategies that will
stimulate the children to look for.
It entices curiosity, discovery and ‘search’.
What it presents: Iconic
historical moments and objects, clothing, landmarks, landscapes, perils,
characters, animals etc linked to that particular moment and that will be
recognized when addressed later in school.
The episodes
1. Columbus' departure from the Port of Pallos
in Spain into the unknown Atlantic ocean
2. The journey and encounter with the real and
imaginary sea monsters and sceneries that were part of the popular imaginary in
those days.
3. The arrival in a Central American/Caribbean
tropical beach, meeting native population, alongside exotic birds and fruits.
It shows the March to the West. The child will be introduced to notions through a rich array of images associated with the days on the trail
1. The pioneers' departure from Independence, Missouri, in wagon trains.
2. The journey thought inhospitable terrain.
3. The pioneers' arrival and settlement in log houses in a new land
The characters
Christopher Columbus, Queen Isabella, King
Ferdinand, the sailors, the caravels, the kraken, a whale, a shark, seagulls
and others.
ART
The guiding concept in the art direction
department is to illustrate with great detail, historical accuracy and
introduce fun elements to keep all images extremely attractive to
the target age group.
To exemplify this, Queen Isabella
of Aragon was created based on an original oil painting, but she
does a fun interaction that kids love. She pokes at the snoring King Ferdinand
as they watch Columbus depart from Pallos.
The most iconic objects in each episode were
anthropomorphized, which is an educational tool as well.
For example: The three caravels, Nina, Santa
Maria and Pinta each were given a certain personality. This
draws their attention to objects that should be remembered for
they were important in that historical process. They will not pass unnoticed
The crayon color palette was not
chosen arbitrarily. It is rich, it evokes childhood textures and memories and
associations.
MUSIC
Music is a very important part of Hitstory
Kids! The musical director is an accomplished musician that
conducted a serious research before
choosing the arrangements, instruments and sounds in each screen.
All the song nursery rhymes with modified lyrics presented in a very rich musical
arrangement. In each screen there is a difference in the arrangement that
convey the different emotions of each moment:
The excitement of departure, the adventure of
the journey and the joy of arriving.
Children are very sensitive to music. The high
quality of the classic guitar and other instruments make the HiTstory Kids
project really stands out
In the second screen of Columbus Sails the
musical arrangement was based on sea shanties.
The guitar used is a parlor guitar
l'arrivée model specially chosen for its children friendly sound.
CONCLUSION
The subtle but well research elements in
HiTstory kids makes a difference. It has an amazingly high quality contents
that is both playful and instructive.
It helps create memories that will later be
accessed when this topic in school.
Finally this has
always been the developers' dream.
To stimulate the love and interest in a
subject that is so important to ultimately understand our world, our identities
and our beliefs.
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