My Story - Our Story

 

I would like to introduce you to my intriguing story and pathway that led me to Smarti's. I am Marta Kecskes the founder of Smarti’s Club, a qualified teacher and economist by profession.     Throughout my career as a teacher, I've always believed that incorporating playful exercises into teaching is a powerful way to enhance children's learning and retention of knowledge. Early on, I noticed that when we introduce playful elements like memory games or logic puzzles into the learning process, children become more engaged, confident, and eager to participate in discussions, brainstorming sessions, and project work.

Motivated by this belief, I delved into researching various tools and games that could enrich my teaching methods. Often, I took it upon myself to create these resources, especially when the available options on the market were limited during that time.

 

Motherhood

As I anticipated the joy of motherhood, I began contemplating how to integrate play into our lives from the very beginning. My goal was to embark on a journey of exploration with my child, using play as a means to unlock the wonders of the world and foster a strong bond between us.

As a family, we started playing very early, I showed him things gradually, I introduced games through stories, and it worked. I noticed that by the age of two he was able to play a game with us, by the age of three he was playing with games for 6 years olds. In everyday life we found that he had an incredible memory, his logical thinking was soaring, he loved challenges, he started adding and subtracting on his own because he was interested in how many points he had in the game. The birth of my second child coincided with the opening of my first toy library, where the aim was to allow as many parents as possible to get to know and play with the game collection I had collected up to that point. We played together in the toy library, watched the children's development, and recommended new games for them. With my second child who was with me during my work in the toy library and was surrounded daily with games, in addition to participating in the process of playing with his older brother as my little helper, even more progress was made.

In the bustling world of child development, recognizing a child's potential is key to nurturing their growth. It was this insight that led to a transformative vision for a new approach to childhood play and learning. The revelation was simple but profound: every child could thrive and develop to their fullest potential if provided with the right toy sand games that aligned with their unique interests.

In this spirit, an innovative concept began to take shape: a toy library that offered children access to a carefully curated collection of games, empowering them to explore their creativity and imagination.

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Vision

To ensure the success of this vision, a dedicated team began meticulously evaluating games available in the market, testing them on their own children and those frequenting the toy library. They continuously refined the selection, modifying rules, and adjusting difficulty levels to ensure that every member of the family could derive joy and benefit from these toys.

I recognized the struggle that parents faced in finding suitable games amidst the overwhelming array of options at crowded toy stores. This understanding fuelled the dream of establishing a unique toy store, one where parents could not only purchase games but also engage in the experience of trying them out with their children. Expert assistance would be readily available to guide parents in making informed choices, aligning the child's interests with the games available.

This dream was realized with the establishment of the first toy shop in Hungary, in collaboration with the existing toy library. This innovative initiative allowed children to not only buy games but also borrow them, ensuring accessibility for every child and relieving parents of the financial burden of purchasing every single game. It was a vision brought to life, designed to enhance the lives of children and families by fostering a nurturing environment for play and learning.

It was a testament to the power of providing the right resources and opportunities, showcasing the immense impact that understanding and catering to a child's interests can have on their development and overall happiness. 

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Method

The methodology we developed was rooted in extensive hands-on experience working with children and families. We initially offered the programme to 4-7 year olds and gradually extending it to 2 -12 year olds. Through this process, we discovered that initiating play at an earlier age significantly increased the success of our approach.

Our approach involved carefully structuring the hourly composition of games, influenced by the valuable insights gained from interacting with the children. We actively listened to their needs, discussed their experiences, and tailored the selection of games and lesson structures accordingly. This iterative process led to the creation of a foundational set of games for beginners, which we continuously expanded upon, integrating new games and seeking innovative approaches.

Our mission was to foster a meaningful experience of playing together, emphasizing collaboration and social interaction. In pursuit of this mission, we conducted numerous training sessions for both parents and teachers. Additionally, we equipped nurseries and schools with appropriate games, established toy libraries, and provided training for the staff running these facilities.

A notable achievement for me was being invited to participate in a significant project with the Roma Education Fund. This project focused on establishing kindergartens and implementing various programs to support families, especially mothers and children, living in conditions of extreme poverty. Over the years, I actively contributed to preparing for the launch of toy libraries across Europe by assisting in game collection efforts, delivering training sessions, and offering ongoing support in their operations.

 

Wales

Four years ago, my work led me to Wales, and naturally, I brought my passion for games with me. I initiated clubs and family events centred around my researched and tested framework and in 2019 Smarti’s Club was set up in South Wales.  It didn't take long for the enthusiasm to spread like wildfire.

Now, we've assembled an eager and dynamic team and formed valuable partnerships that make us optimistic about the future of Smarti’s Club.

Hopefully, this story will continue to inspire, and you, along with many others, will be a part of it!

Join us on this incredible journey.