Child needs love and attention of its parents. Scientists have proved that the more love and care children receive, the happier they are. Then it is more likely that they will grow up harmonious people open to the world. The way parents treat their child is the way the child treats his or her friends. That is why psychologists and experts advise all parents to simply love their children and take proper care of their emotional and intellectual development.

What is important not to miss and how to develop the sense of humour, how to teach to make friends and exercise a positive influence – read in the interview with the art-director of Arricano company Oleh Lytvynsky. In a single year he organizes more than 500 events for children in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih. It is him who can tell what is important for the next generation and give hints to careful parents how to support and develop their child. For this particular purpose, a “Klumba” project was launched in September in Prospekt shopping mall. Klumba is an innovation-laden area for children where they learn new things, make new friends and discover the world by playing with mates.

Oleh, please tell us, how did the idea of creating such an innovation room for children emerge?

In Prospekt mall, we have been holding various developmental events for children. We have found a unique format where our pedagogues and entertainers working with children can reach the child through an animated event. Our amassed experience gave rise to the idea of establishing a separate area for children where, apart from developmental programmes, we could introduce informative elements in a form of a game. In Europe this trend is called edutainment. This is how Klumba children area in Prospekt mall appeared.

And why this name – “Klumba”?

Children are beautiful, extraordinary, sincere, merry flowers, which grow and develop everybody on its own. When children crowd some place and every one of them is a separate flower, the most appropriate word is a “flowerbed” – “klumba”.

What learning and entertainment tools do you use when working with children?

One of the most important forms is theatre. Theatrical activities teach to discover the world, tell apart the good and the bad, formulate one’s thoughts and make true friends. Our new animation programme in Prospekt mall transports a child into the fascinating world of games and fantasies. When applying different play elements, children start thinking about how the world is arranged and start asking questions. This is the way “Pochemuchka” club emerged here, in our Klumba.

Which educational areas do you cover?

At present, “Pochemuchka” programme includes mathematics, biology, art, literature and even modern informatics. All the information, numbers and facts are taught in form of games. That is why children are interested and, not conscious themselves, they are envolved into the educational process and imbibe new knowledge.

What do children like most?

Children like the things they are interested in and that where they can act on themselves. It gives them a possibility to approve themselves. And this is our principal task – to make children feel comfortable and interested. Through the game they not only gain knowledge, but also develop their emotional intellect by communicating with mates. I

s there any proof that your strategy of offering games and all kinds of entertainment is valid?

Every weekend, the number of our little visitors increases. There are steady pupils among them who bring their friends. And it means we are on the right track.

What are the possible ways of development of “Klumba”?

We have plenty of ideas. The nearest time we are going to implement our unique project “Laugh lab”. I do not want to pat it on the street but I think that not only parents will appreciate the positive humour of their children.

What is your principal advice for modern parents who care about their children but do not have enough resources for an ideal scenario?

It is a difficult task – to give advices. I can only share my observations of work with children. My first remark will be not to impose parents’ opinion on a child. It is better to back your child when he or she is about to perform something. Then – do not compete with your own parents who might have missed something, and you are trying to make it up with your children. And the third is – smile! It will help you to overcome difficulties together.