A child’s first experience in education plays a vital role in their development. HOPE worldwide South Africa (HWW SA) in partnership with Care for Education (CFE) have found ways to include education, fun and play in the everyday lives of young and vulnerable children. Care for Education has generously donated LEGO Charity Boxes to HWW SA. These boxes have been distributed to households and ECD centres in Gauteng. In 2016 CFE donated 50 LEGO boxes, and in 2017 they made another donation of 600 LEGO Play Café sets to households in HOPE’s ECHS programme (funded by FHI360) .
Playing with LEGO promotes fine motor skills, encourages teamwork and creativity, encourages problem solving and mathematical thinking, and improves self-esteem and communication skills. Young children experience the world generally through relationships, CFE’s LEGO donations have helped to improve the relationship between a child and the parent by introducing LEGOs into households.
LEGOs introduced to children, parents, caregivers and centre practitioners serve as a teaching tool to engage children in the hands-on learning of mathematics. It lays a solid foundation for cognitive development, problem solving and enhancing creativity. The power of partnership between CFE and HWWSA has contributed positively to the lives of children and caregivers. The generous donations reached over 2000 houses and transformed learning in 10 ECD centres, encouraging learning through play.
Parents who have received LEGOs, have also seen the benefits of playing with their children.
“I can spend the entire day playing with my child. At most I spend 4 hours a day. Having LEGO in my home helps me and my child play while learning. I also learned how to have meaningful play with my child and have fun at the same time”. said Evah Molele from Diepsloot
We are investing in Early Childhood Development and bringing new playful ways to stimulate children through LEGO’s.
By Nthabiseng Makuwa & Percy Matshoba – Media & Marketing Intern