The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT), Ministry of Health (MOH), UNICEF, Lao Star TV and animation artists recently organised a workshop in Thalad, Keo Oudom district of Vientiane province on Aug 29, to discuss current progress in the production of the third season of the popular early childhood development TV series ‘My House’. The third season is currently being developed through a collaboration between MoES, MICT, MOH, Lao Star TV and UNICEF, with the support from the EU, GPE and USAID, and will contain a total of 12 episodes. Each episode will also have sign language interpretation and integrates messages around COVID-19 prevention and control, including hygiene practices, alongside fun learning activities that provide basic knowledge for children to help facilitate their school readiness.
In her remarks to the workshop, Ms. Siphaphone Manivanh, Director General of the Department of Early Childhood Education, highlighted the importance of the ECD TV show during the COVID-19 pandemic for both children and families in Lao PDR.
“Children are now returning to school. Nevertheless, we still need to continue educating and encouraging them to maintain hygiene and safety practices, such as handwashing and social distancing, to protect them against COVID-19. My House is another important tool for parents and teachers to help facilitate this,” said Ms. Siphaphone Manivanh.
The My House production team also pretested the new season at a kindergarten in Vientiane province. The new episodes were well received by children, parents, and teachers alike and after the pretest, participants also discussed and made suggestions on how to further improve the show to best meet the needs of children.
“The series also has useful information for caregivers. Each episode covers a wide array of topics, ranging from promoting good nutrition for children to how to encourage early learning and play at home, linking together both early learning for young children with parenting education,” said Mr. Saykoson Sanoubane, UNICEF Communication Officer and producer of the show.
“A child’s ability to think, form relationships, and live up to their full potential is directly related to the synergistic effect of good health, good nutrition, and appropriate stimulation and care from parents. It is our hope that the new season will continue to help Lao children thrive,” stated Ms. Maliphet Soukhaseum, UNICEF Early Childhood Education Specialist.
My House 3 will be launched in early October 2022 and will be broadcasted through the Lao National TV Channel 3, Lao Star channel, and MoES ESTV (LaoSat Channel 8). In addition, the show will also be disseminated via social media, YouTube and the MoES digital teaching and learning platform, Khang Panya Lao.
Source: Lao News Agency