Hana & Hugo grew from one family’s search for a gentler, more purposeful way to help two toddlers learn from the stories they watched.
It started with sharing
After noticing that some of the content our toddlers watched seemed to influence how they played and interacted, we wondered whether screen time could instead model the behaviors we wanted to encourage at home.
Sharing was our first challenge, so we created a simple story showing what sharing looks like, why it matters, and how children can practice it. In our home, the response was immediate: Hana and Hugo began repeating language from the story, reenacting the scenes, and pretending to share during play.
That first experience showed us how a familiar story, a clear example, and repetition through play could help a lesson continue after the screen was turned off.
From one story to a learning world
Encouraged by what we observed, we began creating more adventures around the concepts our toddlers were learning—numbers, letters, colors, shapes, feelings, routines, and early vocabulary. They listened, repeated, moved, answered, and carried pieces of the lessons into everyday life.
What began as something made specifically for Hana and Hugo became a learning world we hope other families can explore in their own way. Our goal is not more screen time. It is more intentional screen time that gives grown-ups and children something useful to talk about, practice, and play with together.
The real family behind the characters
Hana and Hugo are inspired by two real toddlers in our family. Their personalities, experiences, questions, and everyday challenges are part of the heart of this project. Yaya and Dony are inspired by our real family cats and are reimagined as their playful ShenyVerse characters.
Privacy-first characters
To protect the children’s privacy, the characters shown in our videos and learning materials are intentionally fictionalized, AI-assisted interpretations—not exact representations. Certain visual details and story elements have been changed while preserving the family experiences that inspired the project.
Read our privacy policyMeet the story roles
The learning guides
Hana & Hugo
Curious young explorers who ask questions, try new ideas, make mistakes, and learn through the adventure together.
The playful mischief-makers
Yaya & Dony
Lovable troublemakers who gently show a less-helpful choice, giving children a safe and humorous way to notice what could be done differently.
The moral compass
Sheny
A magical star who helps everyone pause, understand, repair, and look beyond “I can’t” toward what they can try next.
The world of possibility
ShenyVerse
An imaginative inner world where familiar challenges are transformed into playful adventures and resolved through a positive, practical lesson.
How a ShenyVerse story works
Each story uses a simple, reassuring arc. A challenge is noticed without shame, choices and consequences become visible, and the characters discover a more helpful way forward.
Notice
Hana and Hugo meet an everyday question or challenge.
Explore
Sheny opens the way into ShenyVerse, where anything can become part of the lesson.
Choose
The characters see different choices, their effects, and a positive way to try again.
Bring it home
The adventure returns to everyday life with words or actions children can practice.
Made by parents, for parents
We are not educators, psychologists, therapists, or medical professionals, and we do not present Hana & Hugo as professional advice. We are parents who encounter real questions and challenges while raising toddlers and look for creative, thoughtful ways to respond.
Our process begins by observing what is happening in our own family. We then research relevant educational and child-development approaches, consider how they may apply to young children, and translate what we learn into simple stories, questions, movement, repetition, and print-at-home practice. We share what has been useful in our home in the hope that another family may find an idea worth trying.
These materials share our family’s experience and general educational ideas. They are not professional educational, psychological, developmental, therapeutic, or medical advice, and they do not promise a particular result. Parents and caregivers should use their own judgment and choose what fits their child. If Hana & Hugo is useful for your family, we are glad. If it is not the right fit, that is completely okay too.
One clear idea at a time
Our episodes focus on approachable preschool concepts such as numbers, colors, letters, shapes, feelings, nature, routines, and early vocabulary. The pace is warm and intentional, with simple questions and room for children to answer.
From watching to doing
Every printable is designed as a bridge between the episode and everyday life. A child may first see a color or number on screen, then match it on paper, find it in the room, and use it naturally during play.
Built for families
This website is for parents, caregivers, and educators. It organizes the videos and supporting resources grown-ups need while keeping children’s privacy and family routines at the center. Hana & Hugo is designed to support—not replace—the conversations, teaching, care, and judgment of a trusted grown-up.
Learning begins with curiosity, becomes memorable through play, and grows through the small moments families share.