#United States #Oakland #Early Literacy #Kibeam Wand #Play-Based Learning

Introducing Kibeam's Revolutionary Wand

In a striking move to reshape early childhood literacy education, Kibeam has unveiled the Kibeam Wand, a first-of-its-kind handheld device designed for young learners. This innovative product leverages artificial intelligence while completely eliminating the need for screens, thus redefining the way children engage with literature. Grounded in the Science of Reading, the Kibeam Wand provides a multisensory experience that significantly enhances foundational reading skills through immersive storytelling, interactive activities, and play-based learning.

Enhanced Learning Experience

The Kibeam Wand employs a unique feature known as the HappyBeam™, which brings books alive as children point the Wand at different illustrations and text on the pages. This magical experience comes to life with real character voices, engaging music, and sound effects that captivate the attention of PreK–3 learners. Each book in the Kibeam library is not merely a vehicle for stories; it is packed with kinetic reading activities and educational games that make learning both delightful and effective.

Designed by a dedicated team of former LeapFrog creators, engineers, writers, and educators, the Kibeam Wand represents an evolution in educational technology, coming at a crucial time when many children face literacy challenges. According to CEO Jim Marggraff, who was also the inventor of the LeapFrog LeapPad, Kibeam aims to replicate the notable success of its predecessor by promoting interaction with physical books and reducing screen time—an aspect of learning that many parents and educators are increasingly concerned about.

Addressing Literacy Challenges

Recent statistics reveal that nearly two-thirds of children in the U.S. struggle to read proficiently, highlighting the urgent need for effective early literacy interventions. Kibeam targets these issues head-on by focusing on two essential developmental milestones: preparing children for kindergarten and ensuring they achieve reading proficiency by fourth grade. Through the Wand, children gain more exposure to diverse vocabulary and develop a stronger engagement with physical texts, ultimately positioning them for greater academic success.

The efficacy of the Kibeam Wand has already been tested through a pilot program involving the University of Florida's Lastinger Center of Education, which served 60,000 families. Results showed that children using the Wand demonstrated engagement with books weighing up to 5-7 times more than those using traditional methods.

Seamless Integration in Classrooms

Educators will find that the Kibeam Wand integrates effortlessly into existing classroom practices, enhancing activities such as circle time, small group instruction, and learning centers. The Wand also provides educators with real-time data to monitor student progress and adapt instruction accordingly. To facilitate its introduction into classrooms, Kibeam offers extensive support, including online coaching, training sessions, and weekly communications.

Dr. Anne Cunningham, a professor at U.C. Berkeley School of Education, praised Kibeam’s approach. She commended the Wand for its ability to foster children's reading development while providing rich data insights that help tailor instructional practices, maximizing learning outcomes in the classroom.

Availability

The Kibeam Wand is set to enter PreK classrooms for the 2025-26 academic year, and further information can be found at kibeam.com. Kibeam is on a mission to revolutionize how young children learn to read, blending the art of storytelling with a scientifically grounded approach to literacy.

About Kibeam

Founded by Jim Marggraff, the vision behind Kibeam is to harness the power of storytelling to ignite curiosity and joy in early learners. Their flagship product, the Kibeam Wand, stands apart as a pioneering device that breathes life into physical books, enabling children to engage more deeply with texts through sound and interactive features. Kibeam aspires to lead the way in literacy enhancement, making child reading journeys both playful and effective.

For media inquiries, contact:
Colleen Raona
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 313-209-4971