Teaching kids life skills through online games with Alan Tang from CoLab
What if kids learned the skills they actually need for real life — not just exams?
That’s the problem CoLab is setting out to solve.
Founded by Alan Tang, CoLab is an online education platform helping children aged 7–14 build essential life skills — like communication, teamwork, emotional intelligence and problem-solving — through live, gamified sessions and virtual escape rooms.
After following the “traditional” path himself — good school, good degree, good grad scheme — Alan realised something was missing. When he entered the workplace, he felt unprepared for the realities of collaboration, failure, and independent thinking. School had taught him what to think, but not how to think.
So he set out to build the kind of learning experience he wished he’d had.
CoLab brings kids from around the world together for hour-long online sessions led by trained facilitators, where learning happens through play, discussion and challenge — not lectures or tests. The focus isn’t on getting the right answer, but on learning how to work with others, communicate under pressure, and grow in confidence.
Whether you’re a parent, an educator, or a founder interested in the future of learning, this episode is a thoughtful look at how education is evolving — and why life skills matter more than ever.
In this episode, Georgie Brown and Alan discuss:
Why traditional education leaves kids unprepared for real-world work
How gamified learning helps children build confidence and resilience
The importance of emotional intelligence and teamwork from a young age
Why making mistakes is a crucial part of learning
How CoLab’s live, facilitator-led model works
The challenge of scaling education without losing quality
What founders can learn from building trust-based communities
Key Takeaways:
Life skills aren’t optional anymore.
Communication, collaboration and emotional intelligence are core skills — not “nice to haves”.
Learning sticks when it’s playful.
Games and challenges create deeper engagement than passive teaching.
Mistakes are part of growth.
CoLab’s “no shame” environment helps kids learn without fear of failure.
Facilitators matter.
The right humans guiding the experience are just as important as the curriculum.
Education impacts adults too.
Parents and facilitators often grow alongside the kids.
Growth should be intentional.
CoLab prioritises quality, community and outcomes over fast expansion.
Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 — Why collaboration matters more than memorisation
02:15 — Alan’s journey from grad scheme to education startup
05:40 — What school doesn’t teach us about real life
08:30 — How CoLab’s gamified sessions work
12:10 — Emotional intelligence, teamwork & problem-solving
16:45 — The role of facilitators and community
20:30 — Growing slowly and protecting quality
24:00 — Lessons for founders building education platforms
Links & Resources:
CoLab — Website | Facebook | LinkedIn
Connect with Alan Tang — LinkedIn