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Parents or caregivers can support the development of their children aged 2 to 3 years by applying, through play, the activities offered by HIPPY Chile with its storybooks, workbooks, and educational materials.

Did you know that during the first 1,000 days, from conception to age 2, the brain makes approximately 700 new neural connections per second and never again reaches that growth rate... This highlights the importance of early stimulation in children, which the HIPPY program by Fundación CMPC addresses through activities that encourage parents and caregivers to become their children's first educators.

Learning through play is the motto, as reflected in the testimony of Ángela Árevalo, a tutor and beneficiary of the program: "Every week, we share quality moments with my daughter. I’ve enjoyed her achievements and learning. I see how she strives, and it amazes me. I eagerly awaited the program’s activities or a new book." She adds, "Today, with HIPPY, I feel like a better mom, more confident—like a super mom."

In Chile, HIPPY is implemented by Fundación CMPC and currently benefits nearly 700 families across 14 communes in three regions of the country (Metropolitan, Biobío, and La Araucanía). Globally, it operates in 15 countries.

To measure the program’s effectiveness among Chilean families, Fundación CMPC conducts the Parenting Survey at two points during the year: at the beginning and end of implementation. This allows for tracking the progress families achieve after a full year in the program. The study revealed that 87% of families feel very confident that their home has fostered a strong learning environment, thanks to the various initiatives HIPPY proposes through games. "No special or separate room is needed to create a learning environment with children. Simply sitting in a comfortable and tidy space to explore activities can lead to significant long-term improvements in language, math, cognitive, motor, socioemotional, and behavioral development," explained Mónica Cid, macro-coordinator of HIPPY Chile.

Another finding from the Parenting Survey was that 70% of families participating in HIPPY feel more confident in their ability to support their children at different learning stages. As Javiera Araneda, HIPPY Concepción Coordinator, explains, "The program covers various developmental areas, with many hands-on activities and others included in the workbook provided to families, addressing language, math, science, exploration, and more."

How does HIPPY work?

HIPPY promotes five to six weekly activities, specially designed to provide tools and materials that support children's education. These activities are carried out by parents or caregivers, guided by a mentor mother from the same community, with whom they also share parenting experiences.

HIPPY programs worldwide follow the same model: a Professional Coordinator trains a community tutor weekly through role-playing activity workbooks. The tutor then practices activities with their own child, while parents engage in 15-20-minute games and activities five times a week to stimulate their child’s development. Finally, the tutor conducts home visits or video calls with mothers to role-play workbook activities.

By conducting weekly educational activities with their child during the program, parents learn about their child’s learning style and the importance of their role as their child’s first and most important teacher. Since HIPPY’s approach is based on evidence that children’s earliest and most powerful learning comes from their family, research shows that encouraging early literacy and math—as HIPPY does—prepares children for lifelong learning success.

Open Enrollment

This year, the HIPPY program has openings for new families to participate free of charge. Enrolled families receive materials at home and, guided by a community tutor, continue implementing activities through video calls or in-person visits, where they learn the activities and review the materials they’ll use with their children during the week.

In 2022, HIPPY will be implemented in the communes of Santiago, Concepción, Chiguayante, Florida, Hualqui, Cañete, Angol, Collipulli, Renaico, Victoria, Lumaco, Traiguén, Ercilla, and Contulmo. Additionally, new communes will join, including Temuco, Loncoche, Cholchol, Nueva Imperial, and Carahue, all in the La Araucanía region.

For this reason, Mónica Cid called on all families to enroll and take an active role in their children’s education: "We want to empower them to be their children’s first and most important educators, providing better opportunities for their future from home."

The invitation is open to all families with children aged 2 to 3 who wish to stimulate their development. For more information, visit HIPPY Chile’s social media or email info@fundacion.cmpc.cl.