Every child deserves the chance to run, jump, climb, balance, throw, catch and explore. Yet for many of the young children attending under-resourced early childhood development (ECD) centres in South Africa, access to quality outdoor play equipment and practitioner facilitation remains limited, says the duo.

Each ECD centre will receive a Move & Play kit, which is packed with practical resources — colourful cones, balls, beanbags, chalk and a parachute — that enrich group play for up to 50 children. ECD practitioners will be supported with printed guides, in-person training and ongoing communication to help build children's motor and cognitive skills through outdoor play, adds the duo.

From August, young children in these ECD centres will be exposed to active, engaging outdoor play experiences every day, rather than only on special occasions, says the duo.

The Benefits of Incorporating Play From the Start of a Child's Life

"Research consistently shows that children learn most effectively through play, building both knowledge and the skills they need in their everyday world. Play is a defining part of childhood and is recognised in both the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and South Africa's National Integrated ECD Policy," says Jessica Ronaasen, Advocacy and Innovation Manager at the DO MORE FOUNDATION.

"These frameworks highlight the importance of play-based learning, which is brought to life in practice by caregivers and those working with young children," adds Ronaasen.

The '67 Minutes of Play' campaign is modelled after Kids Collab's Play Parks programme. It creates opportunities for children to participate in fun, professionally designed physical activity sessions that support growth and development through play. The programme uses engaging games and movement activities to help children develop the foundational skills needed for lifelong learning, health and wellbeing, says the duo.

"Too often, play is viewed as a break from learning or a reward once the 'real work' is done. But for young children, play is learning. It is one of the primary ways they make sense of the world, develop relationships, solve problems and build the foundations for future learning and wellbeing," says Whitney Richardson, Director of Kids Collab.

Pairing Resources With Training Ensures Meaningful, Sustained Access

Equipment alone is not enough. For outdoor play to have lasting impact, practitioners and caregivers need the confidence and skills to facilitate meaningful play experiences. Along with distribution of the Move & Play kits to ECD centres, practitioners will be trained on practical strategies to guide and encourage play, says the duo.

The DO MORE FOUNDATION's collective action model "Everyone Gets to Play" is about bringing together all partners involved in creating conditions for young children to thrive. ECD practitioners and caregivers are a crucial part of this, which is why upskilling them in how to use new materials makes for a more effective learning environment, both inside and outside the classroom, adds the duo.

"ECD practitioners need to understand the purpose of each resource, how to use it appropriately, and how to integrate it into daily teaching activities. During training, we demonstrate learning outcomes for practitioners through fun because even adults learn through play," says Dipo Mhlongo, National Programmes Trainer at the DO MORE FOUNDATION.

"Once trained, they can use the play kit intentionally to develop language, cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative skills," adds Mhlongo.

This will enable children to get the maximum developmental benefit from every game, obstacle course, relay race or imaginative outdoor adventure, says the duo.

Partnership is Needed to Bring Play to More Young Children 

This is a collectively-owned and collectively-powered ecosystem that aims to bring together donors, ECD practitioners, parents, development organisations and local partners around a shared goal: helping young children thrive, says the duo.

"We are proud of the growing collective of partners who are embedding play meaningfully into their work with young children and families. This shared commitment is strengthening how children are supported, with greater knowledge across both learning environments and everyday interactions."

When people invest in play, they invest in healthy bodies, confident minds and brighter futures for South Africa's next generation. When children have the space, tools and support to move, explore and discover, they are free to do what they do best: learn through play, concludes the duo.

For more information, visit www.domore.org.za. You can also follow the DO MORE FOUNDATION on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor