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Developing Together

Play Africa’s Developing Together programme is an exciting collaboration with students at the Wits School of Education. This special programme for children ages 1-3 and their parents and educators develops fine and gross motor skills, builds new connections through sensory play, and promotes healthy attachment and bonding. In addition, caregivers learn new ideas to stimulate learning they can try at home.

GOALS OF DEVELOPING TOGETHER Through movement, music, and multi-sensory experiences, children and caring adults (parents and educators) build essential skills that support lifelong learning and healthy development. Through this programme, we aim to: 1. DEVELOP CHILDREN'S FINE AND GROSS MOTOR SKILLS * Children practice whole-body movement and coordination to strengthen core muscles and gross motor skills. * Children encouraged to try new fine motor skills using the small muscles in their hands, wrists and fingers, needed for many school-related tasks. 2. EXPOSE CHILDREN TO SENSORY PLAY * Children's senses of touch, smell, taste, movement, balance, sight and hearing are stimulated. These activities encourage children to use scientific processes while they play, create, investigate and explore. 3. ENCOURAGE ADULTS TO TAKE LEARNING WITH THEM * Parents and educators are inspired with new ideas of how to stimulate their toddlers at home using everyday household materials. * Homemade toys are used as examples to spark creativity at home. 4. PROMOTE HEALTHY ATTACHMENT AND BONDING * Adults feel supported learning about ECD and early education, attachment and health/nutrition in a nonthreatening environment; * Children and caring adults bond and discover together, creating lasting memories; * Children and families play across "barriers"; all families welcomed and included.

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