Stories are powerful vehicles for change. They spark our imagination and allow us to view the world thorough a different lens. As the world continues to fight for racial justice, here’s a look at some great stories for all ages, which tackle racism. It’s never too early to learn that racism is wrong and we…
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For us, the power of imagination allows us to reimagine more than just our future. It can help us think about the past, and reshape how we think of ourselves in the present. Read how, for these young people, rescripting their past, has helped them create a different future. For a group of vulnerable students…
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Learning and play is one of our key themes, so it’s always exciting to see support and initiatives blossoming in this all-important aspect of child development. Particularly interesting here is the urban angle. iOi is based in London so the challenges around creating space for children in cities’ adult-focused environment are part of our driving…
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Learning and play is one of our central themes and covers such a broad range of exciting ideas. However, this piece from The Conversation places it as fundamental to all human development, not merely a child’s learning. Behaviour can be copied and learned, but that’s just imitation. Play, on the other hand, allows for imagination…
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Learning and Play is one of our key themes at iOi, and these discoveries take that concept one further. While the idea of children hunting and working might not be appropriate for today’s society, the potential for increasing motor skills and proficiency at practical tasks is fascinating. Archaeologists at the University of Alberta have been…
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What’s interesting about this article on phones is what we don’t need to see in order to draw a conclusion. As its author, University of New England lecturer Jo Bird, says, this research isn’t looking at screen time as such. It reveals what we can learn about ourselves, as reflected by children. Screens are everywhere,…
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Playing and spending time outdoors is a practice we’re more used to seeing being promoted in Scandinavia or Canada. However, with increasing research and reports, it’s gaining more traction in the UK. What struck us about this exploration into outdoor play is it being about confidence – requiring and boosting it. Additionally, we love the…
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We’re excited to bring you this piece on robot-learning on WIRED. It cites Alison Gopnik, a UC Berkeley professor and one of iOi’s champions. She delivered our inaugural lecture and spoke about child development. Here her work is taken a step further into applying those methods of child development to robots. Robots, who are by…
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Last week we brought you a paper and original introduction from Dr Naomi Thompson on the potential of storytelling for teaching about youth work. This article expands that theory into STEM teaching. The key for us is in making the content relatable and fostering an emotional connection. We love how that’s explored here in terms…
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At the iOi, promoting qualitative ways of working with young people is among our driving forces, with learning and play one of our key themes. We’re excited to share this paper on assessing youth work through story-telling. Below is an introduction for our readers from Dr Naomi Thompson, senior lecturer in youth and community work at…
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