The Why Lab

From the people in the laboratory, for families

Everyday life is full of “why?” Why do we need different foods? What does an ingredient do? Where do things go when we rinse them away? How can we tell a piece of information from an explanation supported by evidence?

Sikalias WhyLab is a series about the science of everyday life, created primarily for children aged 4–7 and for shared discovery with the adults in their lives. Vitamins, minerals, food, cosmetics and the environment provide starting points for stories, questions and simple activities. We want to share useful knowledge and a way of thinking: observe, wonder, check, discuss — and change our minds when the evidence calls for it.

The idea began at Sikalias Pharmaceutical Laboratories. Members of our Research & Development team who are also parents started creating the material they wanted their own children to see. Other families’ interest encouraged us to share it more widely. Education is the primary purpose of this initiative.

The scientific content goes through the Sikalias R&D team’s internal review. We simplify the language for young children while distinguishing what we know, what is still being studied and our own choices. Parent notes provide further context and sources.

When discussing ingredients, we consider their purpose, safety in the particular use, environmental behavior and the reasons behind a Sikalias formulation choice separately. An unfamiliar name is not evidence of danger. Natural origin alone is not a guarantee of safety. Sikalias Formulated Without is presented as a reasoned formulation policy, with the limits of its evidence; it is not a blanket judgment on every other formulation.

The educational videos are available free of charge at sikalias.org. The app’s price covers its added convenience: watching saved episodes offline, favorites and family lists, and activities and audio stories in one place. The knowledge remains open to families.

One story on screen, many discoveries beyond it. Watch together, pause for a question, then continue with conversation or play in the real world.

Eirini is an adult member of Sikalias R&D; Nefeli and Pico explore everyday questions with her.

Free videos, additional convenience in the app

The free website offers episode selection, two narrations, subtitles and parent notes. Purchasing the app covers additional convenience: saved episodes for offline viewing, favourites and family playlists, organised activities and stories, and AirPlay viewing with compatible equipment. Our principles for calm use and information for parents remain available to everyone.

Designed to respect children’s time

Our approach is informed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidance on children’s digital environment. The app has no endless autoplay. A parent can define a family playlist, see its total duration and start it. The selected list finishes with a clear ending and an invitation to try an activity. We encourage shared viewing and time for play, sleep and family. After the story, discovery continues beyond the screen.

The AAP reference identifies a source of design principles, not AAP approval or certification of Sikalias WhyLab.

On the website too, playback starts with your choice and stops at the end of the story. There is no automatic next episode or endless feed. Choose one episode together, pause for a question, then try its activity away from the screen.

Sources for parents

• AAP guidance, sources and their limits in the Parent area →