Forty years ago, the educational landscape in Spain was very different from today. In many early childhood classrooms, there were hardly any proper educational resources—perhaps a cardboard puzzle, a donated toy, or improvised materials that accompanied traditional teaching. Lessons were uniform: every child was expected to learn the same thing at the same pace, with little regard for individual rhythms or diverse ways of discovering the world.
From the very beginning, HenBea set out to change that reality. Our mission has always been to support early childhood and primary education with materials that spark curiosity, experimentation, and active learning. We have long believed in small rotating work groups, where each child can learn at their own pace, share with others, and enjoy the learning process in a participatory and meaningful way.
Back then, primary education was largely based on memorization and worksheets, and educational games were a rarity in classrooms. From the start, HenBea has championed the idea that play is an essential learning tool—a way to understand the world and to develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills.
Another key inspiration for us has always been the classroom environment. In the past, many classrooms began the school year with bare walls, lacking warmth or motivation. At HenBea, we believe the classroom should be a welcoming, colorful, and engaging space. That’s why we design visual, durable, and interactive materials that transform classroom walls into an active part of the learning experience.
Today, as we celebrate 40 years dedicated to education, we want to express our heartfelt “chapeau” to all the teachers who create, adapt, and reinvent their own materials every day to give their students the best. We have learned so much from them throughout these four decades.
We will continue walking this path together, with the same enthusiasm as ever, so that every classroom can be a space where learning through play means growing happily.
Written by Yvonne Jarrett
