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Learning Through Play with Teacher Celine

Filipina content creator Teacher Celine

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Discover educational and entertaining YouTube videos for kids created by a Filipina preschool teacher.

With families cooped up at home during the pandemic, parents have constantly been looking for creative ways to keep the little ones occupied. Aside from engaging with them through indoor activities, exercise, reading, play, arts, games, and practical tasks, moms and dads have taken a more active role in their kids’ learning and growth. Those who opted to homeschool their kids also turn to YouTube as an added resource for education and instruction, exploring shows and channels that offer basic lessons and tutorials.

Considering there are billions of videos on YouTube, it is every parent’s responsibility to select content appropriate for the kid’s age and developmental stage. As much as possible, we steer them towards content that is both educational and entertaining.

If you’re on the lookout for educational media for your toddlers, you might want to search for Teacher Celine on YouTube. Created by Celine Cornejo, a preschool teacher and mom of two, this channel features videos that encourage children to sing, play, and learn everything from numbers, colors, animals, time, ABCs, and more. The themes and lineup are centered around Teacher Celine’s two advocacies⁠—promoting love for reading and learning through play. 

From on-site to online

“I am a passionate educator for over two decades now,” says Teacher Celine. “Back when I was still teaching in a classroom, I realized how much I wanted to teach more kids, especially those who don’t have ready access to preschool education. It has always been my dream to reach out to underserved kids. Going online seemed to be the best way forward.”

She decided to make YouTube her hub, where she would build her online preschool. “Its reach and accessibility make for a great platform where I can share my advocacies.”

She went ahead with publishing content on her YouTube channel. Over time, her “class size” or following increased, which eventually included learners from different locations. At the onset of the pandemic, she already had a good library of content. The views went up exponentially as more families subscribed to her channel.

Aside from teaching primary subjects, Teacher Celine also includes life lessons and social action into her narratives. She highlights the importance of knowing what’s happening around and how children can be part of the community’s efforts toward change and progress. One of her most notable videos is a musical episode on how we can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Personal advocacy

“Since the start of the lockdown, I have been using all my free time to create videos. My vision is to provide preschool content. The videos will serve as supplemental or core lessons for underserved and eager learners across Asia.” 

Asked on how parents can support their children’s learning development, Teacher Celine suggests, “We need to recognize our children’s smarts or strengths. From there, you can build your learning approach around the child’s interests. From books to movies, sports, outdoor activities, and even gadgets—there is a purpose and place for all of these. Learning becomes more fun and easy when it’s relatable.”

“I design my lessons around the concept of Learning Through Play. You see, learning can be done through arts, dance, math, music, nature and outdoor activities, sports, socialization, and stories. Whatever appeals to your preschooler, that’s how I approach learning—I make it seem like play. If you check my YouTube content, you’ll find lessons taught in different ways. I incorporate art activities, storytelling, music, and numbers.”

“I encourage nurturing children by making learning fun. Apart from videos, I provide free worksheets to keep the lessons interactive for my online learners. I hope that my digital platform will inspire kids and parents alike to cultivate a love for learning.”

Get free access to educational videos and worksheets by subscribing to Teacher Celine’s channel on YouTube. You can also get information on her latest uploads by following @teachercelineph on Facebook and Instagram.


This story is also published on my Metro Mom column in Edge Davao newspaper. All images courtesy of Celine Cornejo.

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Meg Hernandez

Wife, mom, lifestyle columnist and blogger, craft enthusiast, and marketing and communications practitioner based in the Philippines.