Is all screen-time created equally? We don’t think so, and these TED talks for children prove that teaching and entertainment can go hand-in-hand. So we challenge you, here in Singapore, to sit those children down in front of a screen – large or small – in public view, or behind closed doors and hit play on one of these five TED talks!
TED (Technology, Education and Design) talks are delivered by really interesting people doing really interesting stuff around the world in 18 minutes or less. Here are our five favourites to watch with the kids…
1. The genius puppetry behind War Horse
Be absolutely blown away as two puppet masters take us through the process of creating life-like puppets, including the full sized horse they bring to stage (made for the War Horse theatre production). After watching this TED talk, don’t be surprised if your rattan furniture is repurposed into a large family pet. It is truly inspirational.
2. Science is for everyone, kids included
This talk is bound to see the kids head to the condo lawn with a magnifying glass in hand! Watch 12 year old Amy O’Toole describe how she and her 25 class mates conjured up a science experiment from a simple question about bees. They went on to have their findings published in a peer-reviewed scientific publication. Child prodigies are generally intimidating, but this talk, including the down-to-earth Amy, inspires anyone to tap into their inner-scientist.
3. Underwater Astonishments
A short six minute talk for kids of any age, with mind-blowing deep-sea visuals of glow-in-the-dark, colour shifting and camouflaging creatures dancing across the screen. It’s bound to awaken your little ones’ curiosity for the world around them – a good introduction to the Singapore Art Museum’s Imaginarium: To the Ends of the Earth interactive kid’s exhibition starting on the 6th of May.
4. A teen just trying to figure it out
A seven minute talk by Tavi Gevinson, the teen-turned-twenty something powerhouse and founder of hugely successful Rookie web magazine. HoneyKids mums have had a girl-crush on this chick since we last fitted into our skinny jeans! In this TED talk she chats about what feminism means to her, and to her generation. This is a great one for the teens to watch, both boys and girls.
5. Hands on Science with squishy circuits
A four minute zippy demonstration shows us how two different flavours of homemade play dough can be used to light up a Christmas tree and power up a tiny spinning motor! Total inspo to turn those kids of ours into electrical circuit designers. Who you gonna call when you need a Singapore light bulb changed?
Like this story? Here’s more we think you’ll enjoy!
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Imaginarium: the ultimate children’s museum experience opens at the Singapore Art Museum this weekend
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