#PowerOfPlay makes bold impression in KwaZulu-Natal
Creativity, imagination, fun and learning headline a day of play with an important message for children and their caregivers in Shongweni.
A wayward pass sends chickens running for cover as the soccer game at the Luthando Day Care centre in Shongweni spills out across the grass. The day of play, led by the ‘Power of Play’ facilitators, hasn’t yet started and already some of the older children of the one to six-year-old group need no invitation to get going.
The ‘Power of Play’ team are a group of early childhood development (ECD) practitioners visiting early learning programmes in rural parts of the country like Shongweni. The team supports educators, parents and children in exploring inexpensive and creative ways to play while demonstrating the immediate and long-term benefits of play for children and families.
Aside from the colourful gazebos, mats and materials, the scene is different from any other day for another reason: parents and caregivers.
“This is the first time we’ve had all the parents here together,” says a laughing Cindy Ngcobo, owner of the Luthando Day Care Centre. “They all come for graduation but never like this – to join in and play with their children.”
This is the first time we’ve had all the parents here together. They all come for graduation but never like this – to join in and play with their children.
What follows is a day of fun and play guided by the facilitators, including UNICEF South Africa’s Early Childhood Development specialist, Lungile Mdluli.
Addressing caregivers and children ahead of the day’s activities, Lungile holds up a green and leafy branch. “Play is like water for a sapling,” she says. “In order to grow, send out green shoots and become tall, resilient and healthy we have to water the plant – and just like the plant needs water, children’s brains need play in order to grow,” adds Lungile.
Play is like water for a sapling. In order to grow, send out green shoots and become tall, resilient and healthy we have to water the plant – and just like the plant needs water, children’s brains need play in order to grow.
As the day begins, facilitators demonstrate inexpensive ways of playing with household objects and discuss the benefits of different games for children’s development.
“Communication, coordination, fine motor skills and conflict resolution are developmental milestones for children and some of the many skills that they will need to succeed as adults,” says Lungile. “Traditional games, making puzzles in a group or sorting bottle caps into collections by colour are small steps that have lasting benefits for children.”
The involvement of parents and caregivers in play activities is crucial for children’s development and improved mental health – for both parents and their children.
“That’s the beauty of it”, says Lungile, “research shows that families that play together are happier and you don’t need expensive toys to do it!”
That’s the beauty of it, research shows that families that play together are happier and you don’t need expensive toys to do it!
As energy levels start to drop, children with painted faces walk up the hill with their grandmothers, uncles, aunties and parents – tired from a morning of serious play.
“It was like a lightbulb moment for parents,” says Cindy. “For many of the parents, they think play ends when their children leave daycare, but I think they agree now that playtime is anytime,” she says beaming.
It was like a lightbulb moment for parents. For many of the parents, they think play ends when their children leave day care but I think they agree now that playtime is anytime.
UNICEF’s ‘Power of Play’ campaign launched at the start of the 2024 school year to highlight the importance of play-based learning in children’s development and for families’ mental health.
“The challenges of low literacy levels and youth unemployment are serious and require a multifaceted response”, says Lungile. “For the children growing up now, play is a part of that solution and is one way to ensure that every child has the best start in their academic journey and in all aspects of life,” she adds as the last group of children and parents walk up the hill, hand-in-hand, and head home.
The #PowerOfPlay campaign is made possible through support from the LEGO Foundation.
UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service.
