TORONTO – To give kids a competitive edge, more Ontario parents are investing in learning resources outside the classroom. In fact, one in three Ontario families has hired a tutor. Today TVO launches Smart Kids Now. Smart Adults Later, a fundraising-based campaign to motivate Ontarians to help TVO continue to deliver exceptional multi-platform educational resources that enhance classroom learning and get kids ready for success in school.
TVO's Smart Kids Now. Smart Adults Later campaign is built on the idea that all kids have dreams of what they'll be when they grow up. TVO offers innovative programs, web games and apps that help today's digital learners build the literacy, math and science skills fundamental to fulfilling their dreams in the future.
A cornerstone of the campaign is TVOsmartkids.org, an interactive microsite where Ontarians can donate while learning more about how TVO helps turn today's kids into tomorrow's smart adults.
"TVO is committed to helping provide the next generation with tools they need to fulfill their dreams in the future, and TVOsmartkids.org is a meaningful way for Ontarians to contribute to that collective future," says Lisa de Wilde, TVO's Chief Executive Officer. "While TVO is primarily funded by the Ontario Government, the support we receive from donors across the province is crucial to our sustainability. We believe this campaign will raise awareness that TVO also needs donor support to continue to push the boundaries of educational media for Ontario's kids."
TVOsmartkids.org enables visitors to virtually bring dream jobs to life with their donations. For example, they can click on the animated Geologist character and, the more they donate, the more they equip the character with a Geologist's tools. They also learn how their donation supports resources like the TVOKids Homework Zone, which helps kids learn about the science of soil and rocks. The site features 10 dream job characters and highlights a range of TVOKids educational resources that help Ontario children develop the basic learning skills they need to become Ontario's future leaders.
Since 2005, TVO's formal research partnership with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) has provided compelling evidence that TVOKids resources are delivering on their educational objectives and equipping kids to be successful digital learners. Most recently in 2012, TVO developed two mobile apps, Hop, Frog, Hop! and Ribbit, Frog, Ribbit!, which were classroom tested with University of Toronto researchers and shown to improve a child's working memory – a brain function essential to learning across all subject areas.
TVOKids' educational resources are based on the Ontario curriculum, developed with educators, classroom-tested, and designed to get Ontario early learners ready for kindergarten and enhance classroom learning for kids aged 5 to 11. The website is home to over 170 educational games and offers a growing inventory of educational mobile apps for all platforms.
TVO's Smart Kids Now. Smart Adults Later campaign is supported by TV advertising on US-based channels carried by Rogers and Cogeco as well as by online, print and transit advertising. It will be promoted to fans, followers, sponsors and donors via TVO's Twitter hashtag #TVOsmartkids, Pinterest and Facebook properties.
