Moe the Mouse®
Speech and Language Development Program
Moe the Mouse® is a playful way for children to learn speech and language skills through culture, story and connection. Guided by the adventures of Moe and his friends, children explore sounds, words and stories in fun and meaningful ways.
What is Moe the Mouse®?
The Moe the Mouse® Curriculum Box was created in 2003 by speech and language pathologists Anne Gardner and Margaret Chesterman for the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society (BCACCS). Designed for children ages 3–5, the program uses Indigenous-inspired toys, stories and activities to support early speech and language development in fun, natural ways.
Moe in Alberta
Moe the Mouse® was first introduced to Alberta in 2020 through the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Aboriginal Head Start Program. It quickly spread across the province, with training and curriculum kits provided to all Aboriginal Head Start programs.
In 2021 the Alberta Adaptation began, in partnership with BCACCS and the Alberta Adaptation Advisory Committee, ensuring the program reflects the cultures, languages and communities of the children and families across the province. In 2023 the Alberta Adaptation was officially rolled out, with Anne Gardner returning to Alberta to retrain Head Start staff and introduce the adapted kit.
Moe’s friends in Alberta
The adventures of Moe the Mouse® include a circle of animal friends, chosen by Alberta Head Start programs to represent the diverse lands of the province. Each animal has its own sound, helping children learn through songs, games and storytelling.
Meet Cousin Joe
In Grande Prairie, children helped create Moe’s Métis cousin, Joe. Cousin Joe comes with six new animal friends and additional sounds that further support language learning and kindergarten readiness.