Children learn to make toys

EVANDER – Toys are fun, but they are also tools that help children to develop science skills.

The Osizweni Science Centre hosted an Edutainment Kiddies Fun Day on Science for 15 parents and 40 children on Saturday, 1 March.

The children were able to play with interactive exhibits in the science centre.

Mr Kamimura, an ex-Japan International Cooperation Agency volunteer and a professional car mechanic, provided the parents with a short car mechanism workshop and Mr Hideo Nakano, a science specialist at the Osizweni Education and Development Centre, conducted a workshop for an hour.

Each child was able to make roto-copters and a rubber band helicopter.

Mr Nakano prepared various items for the workshop.

“We did not want to use sharp objects, scissors or pliers because we expected children from the age of 12.

“We mainly selected paper toys.”

Mr Nakano was informed about the programme on 18 February and had four days to prepare workshop materials.

“As Osizweni provided science activity as part of the World Wetlands Day celebration in Soweto on 14 February, I still had some activity materials, roto-copters, roto-copter droppers and paper blade helicopter parts.

“I also found toy propellers in my office and decided to make additional parts to build up 60 rubber band helicopters.”

Mr Nakano had to explain his demonstration slowly because there many small children.

“However, almost all the children were able to keep their concentration and listened to the explanation carefully from beginning to end.

“I saw that the older children were helping the smaller ones patiently and kindly.”