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How ‘Little Ellen’ Will Reflect Warnermedia’s New Preschool Educational Values

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Since Warnermedia unveiled Cartoonito, talk of the new preschool block has been accompanied by mentions of a proprietary educational framework called “Humancentric Learning.”

Details of this framework have been announced, alongside news that the block will launch on Cartoon Network and HBO Max on September 13. Warnermedia explains that Humancentric Learning, which was developed with educational psychologist Dr. Laura Brown, revolves around four key pillars: creativity, caring, curiosity, and courage. Cartoonito programming is calibrated to encourage these qualities in viewers.

Each series comes with a “curriculum,” written by an early childhood consultant, that sets out the framework’s goals and explains how the show meets them. Show scripts and animatics are reviewed by a consultant “to ensure stories support the curriculum and are developmentally appropriate, comprehensible, and beneficial for young audiences.” The shows’ creative teams are also trained in the concepts of the framework.

As an example, Warnermedia has released the curriculum for Little Ellen, a new animated series that will be available on Cartoonito at launch. Read it below:

"Little Ellen" curriculum

Parents and caregivers will also have access to supplementary resources to extend the lessons beyond the shows. And as Cartoonito rolls out globally from 2022, local consultants will ensure that the framework will be implemented in ways that are appropriate to each culture.

By way of context for the new framework, Warnermedia says the following:

Humancentric Learning is inspired by Positive Psychology and 21st Century Learning. Positive Psychology focuses on identifying and developing strengths, building and broadening positive emotions, and developing certain mindsets (for example, optimism) that are related to flourishing. 21st Century Learning focuses on strengths as well, but the strengths children need to solve the complex problems of tomorrow. In a world where information is a click away and computers solve the simple problems, high-level skills like critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration are critical to navigating our future world.

Cartoonito will feature new and legacy shows alike. On Cartoon Network, it will be available Monday to Friday (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET/PT) and Saturday (6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. ET/PT). Shows available at launch will include new series like Lucas the Spider alongside favorites like Sesame Street and Esme & Roy.

Watch the Little Ellen trailer below:

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