A Typeface with Purpose: How Microsoft’s ‘Kermit’ Aims to Empower Young Readers
Microsoft’s new Kermit typeface offers more than playful design—it’s a research-backed tool for boosting literacy and empowering children through accessible reading. Here’s why it matters.
A Typeface with Purpose
In the evolving landscape of education technology, Microsoft’s newly released Kermit typeface is capturing attention—not for its aesthetic alone, but for its research-driven design to support children’s reading development and comprehension.
Developed with Dutch type studio Underware, Kermit is specifically tailored for early learners, including children with dyslexia. It introduces thoughtful design elements rooted in cognitive and developmental science.
“Kermit isn’t just a font—it’s a bridge between visual design and cognitive development. By visualizing prosody and handwriting strokes, it transforms reading into an embodied, multisensory experience for children.”
— Sofie Beier, Professor of Typographic Accessibility
Designed for Developing Minds
Kermit’s strengths lie in the details:
- Large x-height for easier recognition of lowercase letters
- Generous character spacing to reduce visual crowding
- Familiar, school-like letterforms to support the transition from writing to reading
- Writable stroke order features to reinforce proper handwriting techniques
- Prosody visualization to reflect the rhythm and intonation of speech—aiding fluency and comprehension
What the Research Tells Us
In a 2024 peer-reviewed study from Education Sciences, researchers Stephanie Day et al. found that children’s reading speed and comprehension were significantly affected by font and spacing choices. Importantly, the study concluded that reader-friendly and customizable formats like Kermit are essential for supporting diverse learning needs.
Complementary findings presented at the Design Research Society’s 2023 conference emphasized that optimizing font size and line height can measurably improve early literacy outcomes.
“When children can read with ease, they can access safety information, express concerns, and advocate for themselves. Typography like Kermit plays a vital role in this empowerment.”
— Core Life Skills (CORE) Safeguarding Team
Literacy as a Safeguarding Strategy
At CORE, we believe literacy is more than academic—it’s a protective skill. Children who understand what they read are more equipped to follow safety instructions, recognize danger, and express themselves when something feels wrong.
Kermit, through its thoughtful design, supports this protective function by making text more accessible—turning reading into a safer, more confident experience.
Looking Ahead
Kermit is a milestone in inclusive, child-centered design. It serves as a reminder that even typography can be an agent of empowerment when built on research, accessibility, and purpose.
We encourage educators, content creators, and curriculum designers to consider the role of visual design in safeguarding. Fonts like Kermit offer a simple yet powerful way to remove barriers to literacy and open doors to lifelong skills.
🔗 Learn more from Microsoft Design
Tags:
Early Literacy, Dyslexia Support, Typography, Inclusive Design, Safeguarding Tools, Reading Accessibility, Educational Innovation
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