The campaign follows an endorsement by Fundamentally Children, which outlines how the animation can be used to promote discussions within the family about different personality types, teaching children about different emotions and, importantly, inspiring imaginative play.
“Our panel of testers loved the fact that all the characters have distinct personalities and that although they don’t talk, you know what they’re trying to say through their expressions,” says Dr. Amanda Gummer, founder, Fundamentally Children. “This is great for developing children’s emotional intelligence and the ways the characters interact also teach children about managing their emotions and embracing each other’s differences, which is an important part of their personal, social and emotional development.”
Targeting Early Years Foundation Stage and KS1 children, the campaign delivered a variety of communications materials including activity sheets, fun “make and do” ideas for kids and parents or carers to do together plus lesson-planning concepts, each inspired by the seven different “Oddbods” characters.
“The key principles of EYFS recognize that every child can be resilient, capable and confident and that all children develop in different ways,” says Anabel Higgin, marketing director, One Animation. “The rib-tickling antics of the ‘Oddbods’ very different characters celebrate individuality and help promote discussions around navigating life’s challenges, opportunities and daily events–so it’s no surprise our award-winning content has been thoroughly welcomed and implemented by so many educational leaders and parents as part of our campaign.”
Bespoke content and activities for parents and caregivers can be found at Oddbods.com/parents.