Press Release Helsinki, May 12th 2022
Concern for Ukrainian children fleeing the war and a desire to help them integrate in their new countries across Europe pushed the Finnish company Moilo to take action. The company has rapidly added the Ukrainian language to its application, which encourages children to learn languages through play. Moka Mera Lingua is based on pedagogical understanding and has been developed together with teachers and researchers in the field.
Moka Mera Lingua is a non-commercial application developed for teaching languages to children through play. The app is aimed specifically at children aged 3-8 and no literacy skills are required. In the play world of Moka Mera, children learn through native sounds. Accompanied by two characters, a shark and a monster, children can play intuitively in English, German, French, Spanish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, Danish, Finnish, Russian, Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic (Levantine) and now also Ukrainian.
Learning a language is key to communicating and understanding each other and different cultures. Children learn quickly if given the opportunity, and it is clear that early childhood represents a critical period for language development. App developers and entrepreneurs Petra Holm and Suzan Aledin believe quality content will help Ukrainian children adapt to living in host countries across Europe.
“We hope that Moka Mera Lingua can reach as many Ukrainian children in different parts of Europe as possible and support them in a playful and entertaining way, as they learn a new language,” states Holm.
“One of children’s five universal human rights is the right to play. It prepares them for the future and is the key to learning. Moka Mera Lingua provides a safe environment for young children to explore and learn naturally. This is even more important when a child is exposed to uncertainty instigated by adults which they do not deserve,” adds Aledin.
The application is non-commercial, and its implementation has received support from various foundations. The LEGO Foundation, one of the major funders, also wanted to support the learning of Ukrainian children through the application and play.
“Play is one of the most important ways in which children gain essential knowledge and skills. By learning through play, Moka Mera equips children with the tools they need to develop their language skills, which is especially important during these unpredictable times. We are so proud to support this initiative and we are committed to reacting rapidly to humanitarian crises and ensuring that children aren’t forgotten,” says Oksana Roma, Country Director of Ukraine at the LEGO Foundation.
Adding the Ukrainian language to the application has also been funded by the Päivikki and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation and the Héléne och Walter Grönqvists Stiftelse sr.
The Moka Mera Lingua application is free, and it can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
For more information and interview requests, please contact:
Moilo, Finland
Petra Holm, Co-founder, petra.holm@moilo.fi, Tel: +358 408442622
Suzan Aledin, Co-founder, suzan.aledin@moilo.fi, Tel: +358 407104838
About Moilo
Moilo is a creative company based in Helsinki, Finland. Powered by advanced technology combined with Nordic values, Moilo’s mission is to enhance children’s development and cognitive learning. The company produces high-quality, innovative, story-driven content for children across multiple platforms in cooperation with universities, pedagogical experts, and children. Through its content, Moilo utilizes the power of “learning through play”. Its way of working is based on the Finnish educational system, coupled with a sensitivity towards children and their needs in different contexts.
About the LEGO Foundation
The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow; a mission that it shares with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for learning through play. Learn more on www.LEGOfoundation.com.