Big Bad Boo is an award-winning media company that was founded in 2004 to increase diversity and inclusion in children's media. The 1001 Nights program was designed to teach children civic values, democratic principles, social emotional and life skills including non-violence, inclusion and gender equality, using engaging and entertaining materials in formal and non-formal learning environments.
The program uses an award-winning cartoon series (the most popular show on TV in over 50 countries), which captivates children because of its entertainment value. Teachers are trained on lesson plans to reinforce the content but, the animated cartoons and curriculum materials have been designed by industry-leading creatives and childhood development psychologists to also promote self-learning in non-formal environments. The cartoons are funny, so they also engage parents, and the materials have been designed to stimulate parent and sibling involvement. The program has been developed successfully deployed using different technology platforms (Internet, television, radio and community-based storytelling sessions) in different environments (including schools, at home and in refugee safe spaces). Third party data from 15 countries has shown significant reductions in negative civic values, like intolerance of outside groups and gender inequality through robust monitoring and evaluation.
The 1001 Nights Program was developed in 2005 and piloted in Iraq with internally displaced children. Since then, the program has been localized and implemented in over 15 countries (including the Philippines, Afghanistan and Lebanon) with support from UNICEF, government donors and in partnership with Ministries of Education and local NGOs. In 2018, 1001 Nights won the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Award, honouring it as one of the world’s most innovative education programs. BBB has leveraged this experience to create new programs including 'Judge Jodhi', that teaches children rule of law, social emotional skills and gender equality, 'Galapagos X' that teaches children about climate change and 'Isla Maganda', a bespoke Filipino program focused on literacy/numeracy.
For more information contact Nikki Whaites, VP, International Development (nikki@bigbadboo.com). Sample 1001 Nights episodes are available on Big Bad Boo's YouTube channel.
BBB's programs can be implemented anywhere! BBB works with Ministries of Education and local partners to localize the curriculum to ensure lessons are contextually appropriate and resonate with children, in each country.
