The prevalence of screens and technology in today’s digital age has raised concerns among parents and educators about the potential effects on children’s development and education. On the one hand, technology can provide access to a wealth of educational resources and tools that can enhance children’s learning experiences. However, on the other hand, the abundance of digital media can also be overwhelming, distracting, and potentially harmful to children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.
One of the key challenges for parents and caregivers is finding high-quality educational content that engages and challenges children while ensuring their safety and well-being. With so many apps, websites, and digital resources available, it can be difficult to determine which ones are appropriate for a child’s age, interests, and skill level. In addition, there is a concern about the quality and accuracy of the content, as well as the potential risks associated with online interactions and exposure to inappropriate or harmful material.
Another concern is the potential for screen time to interfere with children’s physical activity, social interactions, and sleep patterns. While technology can provide a range of engaging and interactive learning experiences, it is important to balance this with other activities that promote physical health and social development.
The team behind CatnClever recognized the challenge of finding high-quality educational content for preschoolers in the digital age and set out to create a solution. Their innovative educational app provides a safe, interactive, and playful learning experience for preschoolers while giving parents peace of mind.
Two experienced professionals lead the CatnClever team with a passion for pedagogy and technology. Co-founder and CEO Olga Ruf-Fiedler has a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Humboldt University in Berlin, with postdoc research at Rutgers University (New Jersey), and has worked as a math teacher and lecturer. She brings her extensive experience in education to the development of CatnClever’s curriculum and content, ensuring that the app aligns with international academic standards and supports early childhood development through playful learning activities. After successfully establishing two start-ups for major multinational finance companies as CEO, Olga decided to apply her experience to build her own company focused on education and social impact.
Co-founder and CTO Sebastian Haehnel brings over 15 years of technical leadership in IT software engineering and software architecture to the team. He has worked with major corporations like IBM’s Silicon Valley Labs and multinational banks like UBS and is responsible for overseeing all the technology behind the CatnClever app. Together, Olga and Sebastian bring a unique combination of expertise and vision to the development of CatnClever, ensuring that the app is both educationally sound and technologically advanced.
The CatnClever app offers a unique solution to early childhood education challenges. Research shows that the many educational apps aimed at preschoolers are of poor educational quality. CatnClever closes this gap with interactive and multi-subject learning experiences that are personalized to each child’s level of development. In addition, a team of pedagogical experts, software engineers, and arts professionals ensures that the app’s curriculum follows the objectives and standards of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and the Swiss-German Early Years curriculum.
CatnClever uses story-based exercises to promote the development of cognitive skills such as counting, spelling, and spatial thinking and to reinforce socio-cultural abilities like respectful interaction with others and understanding different cultures and perceptions. Additionally, the app supports the child with engaging physical exercises, like standing on one leg as a flamingo, jumping and dancing, building letters with their legs and arms, etc. The program features three friendly characters, including Lily the cat, Sammy the dog, and Maxi the little mouse, who guide children through these exercises.
CatnClever also addresses the concerns of parents and caregivers about children’s safety and well-being in online environments. The ad-free app provides a safe and personalized introduction to the digital world for young children. The app’s Parent Dashboard allows caregivers to track their child’s learning progress, customize lessons, and adjust content based on their child’s age and level of development.
As parents themselves, the team behind CatnClever is driven by a passion for supporting young children and empowering parents to make informed decisions about their child’s education. They recognize that early childhood education is crucial to a child’s development and future success. Therefore, they are committed to providing solutions that introduce children to joyful learning experiences while assuring parents that their kids’ screen time is well-spent.
With a blend of pedagogical and technological skills, the team behind CatnClever has crafted a distinctive app that fosters early childhood education through secure and engaging means. In the era of digital learning, CatnClever provides a solution that encourages children’s intellectual and cognitive development through playful and memorable experiences. Moreover, the company is committed to the UN Sustainability Goals, specifically focusing on goals 3, 4, and 12: health and well-being, quality education for all, and responsible consumption and production (no waste). CatnClever has already begun to fulfill these social impact goals by providing the app free of charge to European refugee communities; by 2023, the company aims to reach 10% of users from marginalized populations and 20% in 2027. For additional information about the app or the team behind it, please visit https://www.catnclever.com/.
