National Mango Board launches on-line game
National Mango Board launches on-line game
The National Mango Board recently launched the on-line interactive game Jango Geography to educate children about mangos and the countries from which they originate.
Additionally, children will learn about the flavor and health benefits of mangos with the ultimate goal of increasing mango consumption.
The board's goal is to increase mango consumption and teach kids about geography and the health and flavor benefits of mangos through the game. Jango Mango - a mango-looking cartoonish mascot that serves as the board's global ambassador - guides players through the on-line activity, which can be found at www.mango.org/geography.
"Interactive games are a great way to connect with kids," said Wendy McManus, director of marketing for the National Mango Board. "This fun learning activity introduces kids to the healthy fun and flavor of mangos to help us create lifelong, loyal mango lovers. With the help of this game, children can interact with mangos on a whole new level."
Ms. McManus said that Jango Geography "is going to have a nice, long lifespan."
Jango Geography targets children ages 8 and up, along with their parents and teachers, who could use the game as a teaching tool in the classroom. It is packed with characters and facilitates learning experiences such as encouraging knowledge retention and use of short-term memory; testing motor skills and hand-eye coordination; improving detail and comparison skills; sharpening reaction time; and teaching abstract thinking.
Jango Geography contains educational maps, quick facts and an activity booklet that includes coloring sheets. The activity booklet is downloadable for parents and teachers. Children learn numerous mango facts such as countries of origin and their capital cities, languages spoken, currency and landmarks. They also learn fun facts about the mango, such as its history, how to select one, nutrition facts and even how mangos are consumed in different countries.
Global marketing and corporate communications company Fleishman-Hillard worked with the board to create and develop Jango Geography. Lindsay Lehfeld, a spokesperson for the board, said that the National Mango Board is introducing Jango Geography through the media.
"We hope to spread the word to kids of all ages about the versatility, history and origins of the world's most popular fruit," Ms. Lehfeld said. "We want Jango Geography be a fun and educational experience for kids, parents and teachers, and hope through our media efforts we can get them excited about playing the game."
The board is exploring additional opportunities to introduce Jango Geography to teachers and classrooms in 2009, Ms. Lehfeld said. Jango Geography was inspired by a 2007 partnership with Scholastic Inc.'s Instructor magazine, so it is fitting "that we inform teachers about the new resource that has merit in geography, social studies and nutrition," she said.
Jango Geography is one of many initiatives the board has developed to teach kids about healthy eating habits including incorporating mangos. The board features a children's section on www.mango.org that has additional games, quizzes, videos and informational facts, many of which are the result of its partnership with Instructor that educates children about the world of mangos through activities in the classroom.
The board's Rising Mango Star Video Contest is a national contest that challenges children ages 8 to 14 to create a unique mango recipe and video and submit it to the board for a chance to be on the television video magazine "Health & Home Report." The video contest launched earlier this year in an effort to engage children and get them excited about mangos. A Jango Mango mascot will run in the mascot race in late November during the children's day of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Earlier this year, Jango Mango participated in the U.S. youth soccer playoffs held in Raleigh, NC, and Portland, ME.
Additionally, children will learn about the flavor and health benefits of mangos with the ultimate goal of increasing mango consumption.
The board's goal is to increase mango consumption and teach kids about geography and the health and flavor benefits of mangos through the game. Jango Mango - a mango-looking cartoonish mascot that serves as the board's global ambassador - guides players through the on-line activity, which can be found at www.mango.org/geography.
"Interactive games are a great way to connect with kids," said Wendy McManus, director of marketing for the National Mango Board. "This fun learning activity introduces kids to the healthy fun and flavor of mangos to help us create lifelong, loyal mango lovers. With the help of this game, children can interact with mangos on a whole new level."
Ms. McManus said that Jango Geography "is going to have a nice, long lifespan."
Jango Geography targets children ages 8 and up, along with their parents and teachers, who could use the game as a teaching tool in the classroom. It is packed with characters and facilitates learning experiences such as encouraging knowledge retention and use of short-term memory; testing motor skills and hand-eye coordination; improving detail and comparison skills; sharpening reaction time; and teaching abstract thinking.
Jango Geography contains educational maps, quick facts and an activity booklet that includes coloring sheets. The activity booklet is downloadable for parents and teachers. Children learn numerous mango facts such as countries of origin and their capital cities, languages spoken, currency and landmarks. They also learn fun facts about the mango, such as its history, how to select one, nutrition facts and even how mangos are consumed in different countries.
Global marketing and corporate communications company Fleishman-Hillard worked with the board to create and develop Jango Geography. Lindsay Lehfeld, a spokesperson for the board, said that the National Mango Board is introducing Jango Geography through the media.
"We hope to spread the word to kids of all ages about the versatility, history and origins of the world's most popular fruit," Ms. Lehfeld said. "We want Jango Geography be a fun and educational experience for kids, parents and teachers, and hope through our media efforts we can get them excited about playing the game."
The board is exploring additional opportunities to introduce Jango Geography to teachers and classrooms in 2009, Ms. Lehfeld said. Jango Geography was inspired by a 2007 partnership with Scholastic Inc.'s Instructor magazine, so it is fitting "that we inform teachers about the new resource that has merit in geography, social studies and nutrition," she said.
Jango Geography is one of many initiatives the board has developed to teach kids about healthy eating habits including incorporating mangos. The board features a children's section on www.mango.org that has additional games, quizzes, videos and informational facts, many of which are the result of its partnership with Instructor that educates children about the world of mangos through activities in the classroom.
The board's Rising Mango Star Video Contest is a national contest that challenges children ages 8 to 14 to create a unique mango recipe and video and submit it to the board for a chance to be on the television video magazine "Health & Home Report." The video contest launched earlier this year in an effort to engage children and get them excited about mangos. A Jango Mango mascot will run in the mascot race in late November during the children's day of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC. Earlier this year, Jango Mango participated in the U.S. youth soccer playoffs held in Raleigh, NC, and Portland, ME.
