Free online course to help caregivers get to grips with learning through play
In SA, 66% of the most vulnerable children are not in Early Learning Programmes.
Did you know that in SA, 66% of the most vulnerable children are not in Early Learning Programmes (ELP)?
Of children who have access to an ELP, six out of 10 are falling behind.
This is according to the Caregiver Learning Through Play (CLTP) programme senior programmes manager at HOPE Worldwide South Africa, Nkhensani Mabunda.
“We must act early to address this. HOPE Worldwide South Africa has developed the Caregiver Learning Through Play programme to help all parents and caregivers help their children learn through play. It is a free online course,” she said.
“Extensive research shows children learn best through play and that the first few years of a child’s life are the most critical in their development.
“This is a time of rapid brain development that determines the future of a child’s ability to thrive and learn.
“You can strengthen your bond with your child and promote their learning through the power of play by engaging in enjoyable, everyday activities together. We call this responsive and playful parenting.”
Responsive parenting means parents are aware of their children’s emotional and physical needs and respond to them appropriately and consistently.
“This promotes the healthy development of your child in various ways.
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“With our implementing partners, Save the Children South Africa, Ntataise and Early Learning Resource Unit (ELRU), we assist thousands of parents across SA in promoting responsive and playful parenting and ensuring their young children do not get left behind once they reach primary school.
“The LEGO Foundation supports the Caregiver Learning Through Play (CLTP) programme.”
The programme offers parents and caregivers of children from birth to six years old useful tools, tips and ideas for learning through play.
These ideas and tools often include local traditions and customs to make learning enjoyable and relevant and techniques you can use immediately.
The programme also teaches practitioners and teachers who work in Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and programmes these skills.
Download the course
There is a free downloadable toolkit of easy-to-follow tips and tricks meant to help caregivers and their children connect and learn at home through play.
The course has an instant downloadable certificate of completion if you worked through the eight modules.
Completing a module will take about 30 minutes (including the entertaining activity you can do with your child).
To download the toolkit or register for the online training course, visit www.cltp.org
To access the face-to-face training, email cltp@hopewwsa.org
The CLTP Programme
Parents and caregivers who go through the two four-hour training sessions learn how important they are to a child’s development.
By participating in CLTP training, caregivers of young children, such as mothers, fathers, grandparents, childminders and au pairs, or neighbours, are empowered to be more playful and responsive in their caregiving and actively incorporate learning through play into their daily interactions with children.
ECD practitioners like community health workers, social workers and ECD professionals who work in programmes for children from birth to six years old can also sign up for a more rigorous version of the training, which will help them in their professional development.
The CLTP programme also welcomes community-based organisations or training providers who wish to partner in delivering the training.
The implementation toolkit is available free of charge to interested organisations.
For more information on CLTP, visit: www.cltp.org or email: cltp@hopewwsa.org
Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok at @caregiverlearningthroughplay, X at @cltp_
To donate to HOPE Worldwide South Africa, visit www. hopeworldwidesa.org
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