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Maka | Low Stim Shows for Kids 0-6

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📺 Stories kids love. Screen time parents trust.
🧠 Built in collaboration w/ researchers @yalechildstudycenter
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Comment “IMPRINT” and we’ll DM you the full breakdown of how we evaluate shows for child development 🔗

Meet Imprint, the framework behind every show on Maka Kids.

Developed with child development researchers, Imprint evaluates content across 7 key areas: Thinking, Connection, Play, Character, Academic, Social, and Physical.

These aren’t just buzzwords. They are the building blocks of how kids grow, learn, build relationships, and understand the world around them.

So when a show is on Maka, it is not there by chance. It’s there because it supports real skills like problem-solving, kindness, independence, and navigating friendships.

Our goal is simple:
Make screen time something you can feel good about! by @trymakakids

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5 months ago

Say hi to Maka’s mascot, Scoot! 🐛

Scoot is the friendly little caterpillar who pops up at the end of every Maka session to help make goodbyes (or see you laters!) feel a little gentler.

As our Creative Director, Dave McMahon, shared: “It’s important for us at Maka Kids to make sure children have enough context to understand that a session is ending. Sometimes transitions can be really hard for young kids, and we wanted to help make that easier.” Thank you, Dave for bringing Scoot to life!

Visit makakids.com/team to read Scoot’s bio and get to know our curious little caterpillar a little better. by @trymakakids

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3 months ago

Wouldn’t it be nice if kids’ media felt a little less chaotic and more like the 90s?

At Maka Kids, we’ve replaced algorithms with intentional curation. Creating a screen experience that’s designed to support children’s development and give parents a little more peace of mind.

Because screen time shouldn’t feel like one more thing to manage. 💜

Comment MAKA for a DM to learn more!

Original video: @officialstephwise by @trymakakids

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3 months ago

We talk a lot about screen time. But what about the TV that’s simply on in the background? 📺

It’s a normal part of life in many homes! Making dinner, getting ready, folding laundry, or hanging out together. And researchers have looked at how that background media becomes part of the environment little ones are learning and playing in.

The takeaway isn’t that your home needs to be perfectly quiet or screen-free. We’re just here to encourage you to make intentional choices about when media adds to the moment and when a little less background noise might create more room for uninterrupted play, conversation, and connection. 💛

References:
Schmidt, M. E., Pempek, T. A., Kirkorian, H. L., Lund, A. F., & Anderson, D. R. (2008). The effects of background television on the toy play behavior of very young children. Child Development, 79(4), 1137–1151.
Kirkorian, H. L., Pempek, T. A., Murphy, L. A., Schmidt, M. E., & Anderson, D. R. (2009). The impact of background television on parent–child interaction. Child Development, 80(5), 1350–1359.
Masur, E. F., Flynn, V., & Olson, J. (2016). Infants’ background television exposure during play: Negative relations to the quantity and quality of mothers’ speech and infants’ vocabulary acquisition. First Language, 36(2), 109–123. by @trymakakids

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3 days ago

What happens when the people building the future of kids’ media get to meet some of the best in the business?

Our co-founder, Isabel and Creative Director, Dave recently had the chance to go backstage with The Wiggles and see firsthand what thoughtful children’s entertainment looks like. Seeing it all come to life in person affirmed our appreciation for this team and the care that goes into creating great experiences for kids.

Thanks for having us, @thewiggles! by @trymakakids

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21 days ago

What if the answer to ‘too much screen time’ isn't less screen time, but better content?

That’s the bet that Michigan Central and @Femology ecosystem member Maka is making. With its ad and algorithm-free app, Maka is reinventing kids TV time by curating content with child development experts and researchers in mind, not engagement metrics.

This is just the latest proof point of something bigger happening at Michigan Central. With electric vehicles, advanced manufacturing, mobility, robotics, and now, early childhood development, our founders represent different industries, focused on solving different problems, for different customers.

That’s Michigan Central. We are an ecosystem that brings real solutions to hard problems.

Read the full story below at the link in bio. by @trymakakids

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23 days ago

Scoot’s got mail! 🐛💌 And this one made our day.

We’re building Maka to make screen time feel a little more intentional for kids and the grown-ups choosing what they watch. Hearing that it’s already making its way into families’ everyday routines means everything. 💙

Want to be among the first to experience Maka? Join the waitlist at MakaKids.com by @trymakakids

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24 days ago

Big feelings are a normal part of childhood! And learning what to do with them takes time.

High-quality children’s shows can help by modeling what emotions look like, giving kids language for their feelings, and showing healthy ways to work through them. Watch to see the two shows our child development researcher, Maisha, recommends for helping kids navigate those big feelings (and what they get right.)

Research:

Rasmussen et al. (2016), Journal of Children and Media, 10(4), 443–461. by @trymakakids

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a month ago

There’s a reason pacing matters in kids’ content.

Research suggests that slower-paced storytelling can give kids more time to follow the story, process what they’re seeing, and make sense of what they’re learning.

Sources:
Wright et al. (1984), Developmental Psychology, 20(4), 653–666.
Lillard & Peterson (2011), Pediatrics, 128(4), 644–649.
Fisch, Kirkorian & Anderson (2000), Transfer of Learning in Informal Education. by @trymakakids

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a month ago

Scoot’s next adventure? Back to school! 🎒

What’s inside, you ask? A few everyday essentials for learning, curiosity, and storytelling! And of course, a nice crunchy leaf for a mid-day snack. by @trymakakids

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a month ago

Good news for anyone currently living through a very intense character obsession. 😂

Turns out your kids obsession with a familiar character might actually help them learn!

Maka’s Chief Research Officer in Residence, Shina, breaks down 3 reasons why that “again!!” phase can be a good thing.

References:

Calvert, S. L. (2018). Parasocial Relationships With Media Characters: Imaginary Companions for Young Children’s Social and Cognitive Development. In Cognitive Development in Digital Contexts (pp. 93-117). Elsevier.
Bandura (2001), Media Psychology.
Fisch (2000), Media Psychology. by @trymakakids

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a month ago

Dolly Parton believed every child deserved the chance to fall in love with stories.

Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, she brought books into the homes of millions of children, nurturing a love of reading and storytelling from their earliest years.

Dolly, thank you for helping generations of children dream bigger. 💗 by @trymakakids

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a month ago