Le copain

Le Copain is an interactive learning tool for children aged 3-7. It consists of puppet arms with LED screens embedded within them, allowing for interactive engagement. Through the integration of STEM education, the Reggio Emilia approach, and ASCA organic solar film technology, Le Copain offers a comprehensive and sustainable learning experience. It promotes cognitive development, creativity, and fosters awareness of energy and environmental sustainability. The use of ASCA organic solar film technology enables Le Copain to have a self-sustaining energy system, providing a hands-on opportunity for children to learn about renewable energy.

HOW IT WORKS

Le Copain interacts with children through displaying different image information and engaging learning activities. By adjusting the content and difficulty of the LED screens, incorporating the concept of the Five Elements, Le Copain provides multidimensional, fun, and inspiring learning experiences for children of different age groups.

Five elements concept and educational tools

The Five Elements, also known as the Five Phases or Wu Xing ( elemental equilibrium ), is an important concept in ancient Chinese philosophy and medicine. It describes and summarizes the five fundamental elements or forces that exist in nature and the human body: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element represents specific energy states and attributes, and they interact and influence each other, forming the balance and changes within the natural world and the human body.

For example, Wood represents growth, expansion, and vitality; Fire represents passion, creativity, and transformation; Earth represents stability, security, and a sense of belonging; Metal represents strength, contraction, and wisdom; Water represents flow, calmness, and insight.

In the " Le Copain " project, the concept of the Five Elements is introduced into the interactive learning tool to help children understand the characteristics, interactions, and philosophical notions of the Five Elements. Through interacting with the puppet arms and observing different images, texts, and scenes, children gradually develop an awareness of the connections between the Five Elements and nature, the world.

The interactive puppet with LED screens enables interaction, games, and learning by displaying different images on the left and right arms, which can be observed and compared through gestures. Children can interact with the puppet by asking and answering questions or comparing the displayed images on each arm. Specific content and learning objectives are provided according to the age range of the children.

Age groups

The design concept of "Le Copain" is an educational approach that is tailored to children's cognitive and developmental levels. In the early stages, emphasis is placed on parent-child interaction, sensory stimulation, and basic language communication. As children grow, games and role-playing are gradually introduced to encourage imitation and creativity. Le Copain provides educational tools and activities suitable for different age groups to promote children's sensory and cognitive development.

• Age group of 2-3-year-old toddlers ：" Le Copain " captures the interest of children through color contrasts, simple patterns, and pictorial symbols. It helps them recognize shapes, colors, and objects through interactive games and sensory stimulation. By incorporating the concept of the Five Elements, it also assists children in gaining a preliminary understanding of the characteristics and significance of different elements.
• Pre-school stage for 4-5-year-olds: During the preschool stage, children develop their observational skills, memory, and logical thinking abilities through comparing different patterns and textual information. They gradually understand the connection between the five elements and the natural world.
• Elementary school children aged 6-7: By presenting more complex images, text, and scenarios, Le Copain helps elementary school children delve deeper into the interrelationships and applications of the five elements. They further explore phenomena in nature, society, and culture, fostering a macroscopic philosophical mindset.

Example:

• 1. Logical and Computational Skills: Enhancing logical thinking and computational abilities through shape, color, and number analysis.
• 2. Understanding Nature's Balance: Exploring the concept of conservation and balance in nature, with a focus on the interactions of the Five Elements.
• 3. Exploring the Food Chain: Developing critical thinking skills by studying the animal food chain and understanding the interconnectedness of organisms.
• 4. Expressing Emotions: Nurturing emotional intelligence and expressive communication by associating emotions with the Five Elements.
• Le Copain fosters logical reasoning, computational skills, ecological understanding, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and expressive communication.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHY OF "LE COPAIN"

"Le Copain" is the culmination of our passion and pursuit of childhood education. We firmly believe that every child is a unique individual, brimming with unlimited potential and distinct ways of thinking. Our goal is to provide them with an exciting and inspiring learning experience.

We recognize the crucial importance of language, emotional expression, and philosophical thinking in a child's development. Therefore, we have integrated rich cultural backgrounds into our educational approach to create a tool that stimulates curiosity, fosters critical thinking, and promotes cultural awareness. We aim to create a new learning context for children.

By offering a scientific, engaging, and interactive learning experience, we have merged the precision of STEM education with the creativity and individualization of the Reggio Emilia approach. This comprehensive blend caters to the diverse learning needs of children, fostering their cognitive development, creativity, problem-solving skills, as well as enhancing their social and cooperative abilities.

Our intention is to go beyond imparting knowledge and instead cultivate a tool that empowers children to acquire skills, develop their thinking abilities, and shape their futures. "Le Copain" (means "The Buddy" in French) is more than just an educational tool; it becomes a trusted companion, supporting children on their educational journey.

STARTING SMALL: ENERGY CONSERVATION AND EFFICIENCY FROM AN EARLY AGE

In the Le Copain project, we emphasize energy conservation and efficiency to ensure sustainability and environmental friendliness. Here are the key features of Le Copain in terms of energy utilization:

Energy Conservation Principle: Le Copain follows the principle of energy conservation, minimizing energy waste and loss by converting energy into different forms of use.

Solar Power: Le Copain utilizes solar power to achieve energy-saving goals. By incorporating ASCA organic solar films, it converts sunlight into electricity, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and decreasing carbon emissions.

Energy-Efficient Design: Le Copain incorporates various energy-saving measures. The LED screens' brightness and power consumption are optimized to minimize energy usage. Efficient batteries or power management systems are employed to extend battery life and reduce energy waste. These designs contribute to environmental protection and enhance the device's lifespan.

Environmental Awareness: Le Copain aims to cultivate children's environmental consciousness. By introducing solar power and energy-efficient design concepts, we inspire children to consider energy utilization and environmental preservation in their daily lives.

By emphasizing energy conservation and efficiency in the Le Copain project, we provide an innovative learning tool for children while nurturing their awareness of environmental protection. Through these design principles, we hope to inspire children to become advocates and contributors to a sustainable future.

PROTOTYPE DETAILS

1. Smock

• Material: Plain and printed piqué cotton fabric
• Available in two sizes, A and B, with adjustable sleeve length
  Size A: Suitable for children aged 2-4
  Size B: Suitable for children aged 5-7

• Two pockets on the smock to hold doll arms
• Round clasp on the pocket for secure doll attachment
• Small openings at the bottom of the sleeves to hang additional dolls
• Three buttons on the cuffs for easy wearing and sleeve length adjustment

2. Doll Arms

• Zipper design for easy access to the LED screen and battery
• Allows for convenient cleaning of the doll

3. ASCA organic solar film

• The smock features a Velcro fastener at the back to securely attach and detach the ASCA organic solar film.

4. Additional Option

• Waterproof silicone film available for the LED screen

"LE COPAIN" SOFTWARE CONTROL OVERVIEW

Multi-screen support

Through software development, enable simultaneous control of two LED Flex Panels screens. Utilize appropriate communication protocols and data transmission methods to ensure stable and accurate data transfer, allowing users to control the content on both screens simultaneously.

User interface optimization

Improve user interface design to be intuitive and user-friendly for children aged 3-7. Provide clear and simple control options such as age categories, character categories, content categories, etc., to meet children's creativity and exploration needs.

Enhanced interactive features (optional)

Add interactive features to the software, such asaxis rotation * and touch control, sound responsiveness. These features enable children to interact with the LED Flex Panels screens in a more direct way, enhancing enjoyment and engagement.

Remote control support

Consider implementing remote control functionality, allowing parents or educators to control the LED Flex Panels screens remotely via the internet. This enables them to supervise children's learning process or provide support and guidance remotely.

PROTOTYPE DEMONSTRATION