Bilingual and Bicultural Outlook: Blended Multilingual Learning in Preschool Age

Summary

BABO developed an innovative educational pack for introducing second-language learning at preschool age. Combining multiple intelligences, gamification, cartoons and digital resources, the project provides ECEC educators and families with accessible tools adapted to young learners. Its resources have been tested and improved with teachers and have reached kindergartens and families across Europe. 

Topic(s) addressed

• Literacy and multilingualism through early second-language learning
• Digital competence through educational games and audiovisual resources
• Inclusive language learning and intercultural dialogue

Target group(s)

• ECEC educators
• Preschool children
• Families
• Kindergartens and 
• ECEC trainers

Methodologies used

BABO combines multiple intelligences, gamification, storytelling, audiovisual learning and digital games to make second-language learning attractive and accessible to preschool children. The methodology followed a cycle of research, design, prototyping, teacher training, piloting in kindergartens, feedback through questionnaires, improvement and finalisation. Educational partners actively tested the resources and contributed to adapting them to children's and teachers' needs. The connected use of activities, cartoons, board games and digital resources encourages active and playful learning. 

Innovation environment

The project created an innovation environment through cooperation between a university, early childhood education providers, SMEs, and organisations specialising in languages and digital content. Educational partners tested the resources in kindergartens and provided feedback for their improvement. The connected educational pack allows resources to be used at school and at home, while the digital games and audiovisual materials support blended learning. The project results are openly available online, supporting their transfer and reuse in different educational contexts. 

Teachers’ role

Teachers played an active role in the development and improvement of the project results. ECEC educators participated in training activities, tested draft resources in kindergartens, and provided feedback through questionnaires. Their suggestions led to additional activity guides for children aged 2–3 and 3–6 and helped adapt the resources to children's needs. The project also provides teachers with examples and tools that enable them to create and adapt their own activities and games according to the vocabulary and learning needs of their pupils. 

Impact and output

BABO produced four connected educational resources: a pedagogical guide based on multiple intelligences, multilingual board and digital games, 10 educational cartoon episodes, and a digital game app. The resources have been tested and positively evaluated by teachers and participants, with a final questionnaire score of 4.8/5. The cartoons exceeded the expected reach, with more than 290,000 views on YouTube and TikTok. Schools and kindergartens in several European countries are using or planning to use the resources, supporting wider access to early second-language learning. 

Learn more about the project

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