Digital marketing agency Deepend and children’s rights charity Save the Children have partnered to launch a free mobile app designed to make learning fun and to assist families in underprivileged circumstances with crucial early childhood education.

Available on iOS and Android devices, Day by Day was developed with the support of the Victorian Department of Education and the Centre for Evidence & Implementation, and offers parents access to a comprehensive and effective educational tool.

Deepend Melbourne Managing director Kath Blackham said Day by Day is a game-changing app, using the power of play and accessible technology to promote psychological wellbeing and development.

“The challenge was clear – to reach parents and make it easy for them to help their kids learn and grow,” she said.

“To do this, we harnessed the idea of playtime in an everyday setting – a house – and created a series of activities to encourage incremental changes in daily interactions between parents and young children.

“Play allows children to develop their imagination and dexterity along with their physical, cognitive, and emotional health, while the app allowed us to facilitate these learning experiences where and when they are needed most.”

Day by Day was built in line with the Abecedarian Approach, an educational program which prioritises children’s language acquisition and outlines a range of techniques focused on enriched learning.

Parents and children are able to create individual profiles for themselves, then journey through the Day by Day house, engaging with age specific activities that are structured to support language and learning development.

Alex Sampson, media manager at Save the Children, said the initiative will bring peace of mind to struggling families, hoping to give their children a better start in life.

“Day by Day creates healthy habits and attitudes by rewarding players for completion of small goals, brings families closer as kids learn new things, and together they share accomplishments.”