‘Is it kind?’ was the theme of this year’s International Design Day, which celebrates the importance of design in improving our daily lives. In tribute to humanitarian designer Rob L. Peters, it brings a new standard to design – the standard of kindness – emphasising the importance of measuring design by its positive impact on the world, by the duty to care for people and their relationships. This ethical and deontological approach inspired me to write about a new perspective and paradigm shift in design, ‘kind design’, which, together with ‘circular design’, translates into a vision of the world that…

With the 50th anniversary of the April Revolution in Portugal and the results of the elections, it is inevitable to reflect upon the role of the rule of law in protecting and promoting human rights, particularly those of children. In 1986 Portugal took an important step in joining the European Community, and in 1989 world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which has been in force since 1990. The document recognises children as subjects of rights and childhood as a special and protected period…

As I pronounced the word “Propaganda” I’ve sparked a great deal of interest in my daughter. It’s a complex concept, capable of shaping contemporary social narratives. Understanding it is vital for democracy. During elections, propaganda emerges in conversations; outside of political periods, the topic is relegated to historical contexts. However, propaganda, or the deliberate propagation of ideas with the aim of influencing and manipulating public opinion, has found new ways of acting in digital media. Digital propaganda exists in advertising content and social networks, using technologies such as artificial intelligence to create synthetic images, audio and videos, resulting in deepfakes…

The online world has as many risks as opportunities. Safer Internet Day, supported by the European Commission, stands as a global initiative to raise awareness about online safety, foster digital literacy, and encourage responsible use of technologies by children, teenagers and families. Every year in February, various organisations such as governments, NGOs, industry leaders, educators and researchers unite to identify challenges, share the “state of the art” and develop strategies for a safer digital environment. Our influence on children’s digital lives goes far beyond parental controls or screen time limits. We have the opportunity to establish a safer internet at…

“The goal of Design is to raise the expectation of what design can be.” Paula Scher’s perspective reflects the evolving nature of design. As technology advances and cultural contexts change, design is challenged to adapt and remain relevant.  Beyond a problem-solving discipline, Design is a transformative means of sharing the world we live in, raising new questions and being closer to the ideal worlds we imagine.  The advent of new tools and technologies, including AI-generated content, has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the creative industries. Furthermore, the post-pandemic era has brought about profound changes in society. These changes have…

According to Bruno Munari in his book "Da cosa nasce cosa", games and toys must stimulate imagination, they cannot be completed or finished, otherwise, users will not be able to be involved, to participate. For the ideal toy to be understood by the child, it must be clear to him or her immediately without any explanation: what it is and how it works. Open-ended is an object or equipment used by the child which doesn't have a predetermined use or follow rules or conventions. Leaving all the decision-making up to children allows them to make choices, create a personalised play, and attach meaning to the designs. As a result of open-ended designs, children can create their own rules, goals, and meanings. Their cognitive skills are stretched and their independence is supported by self-regulation and self-discovery.

In the last two years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve spent a lot of time indoors and our environments have become increasingly more relevant. All of us like to be in clean, organised, and well-lit places. To create an orderly preschooler workspace and address effective learning it's important to give them a strategically organised space, preferentially with good sunlight and proportional furniture where they can feel safe on their own, while we keep observing from a distance and give assistance when needed. Natural materials and textures, like wood, are preferred, as they enhance haptic experiences and develop brain connections.

Everything you need to draw can be deconstructed into five basic shapes: a line, a square, a circle, a triangle and a "blob" says Dan Roam, author of "The Back of a Napkin" a book about visual thinking with the focus on solving problems with pictures/drawings.

Drawing is a natural process for children, it is a form of communication and a way of expressing their feelings and understanding of the world around them.