Experiencing the value of play
Mon, 7 February 2011
“Playing with the toys and the children has helped me understand that we must try to give our children a chance to play with toys because they can learn more. - Caregiver (aged 68)
The Little Elephant Training Centre for Early Education (LETCEE) is establishing a container-based toy library in Mbuba village. This will significantly improve the quality of play opportunities and provide children with constructive leisure time activities. The library will lend toys to responsible adults and provide on-site play activities.
The project began in April 2010 and is due for completion at the end of April 2011. This report covers the period from May 2010 – November 2010.
Impact
Family facilitators have held play sessions to introduce children and their caregivers to the importance of play. These are held outdoors at the library site as the construction of the library is incomplete. Caregivers and children value the time devoted to these sessions. Caregivers have indicated a growing awareness of the importance of toys in facilitating learning.
Outputs
- All toys have been purchased.
- The 12 family facilitators are exchanging toys and have introduced 128 families to play.
- Weekly play sessions have been held since August 2010. On average, 35 children attend each session. These sessions have introduced children and their caregivers to the value of play.
- The educational and traditional games have stimulated and increased the children’s access to learning opportunities.
- Caregivers appreciate that their children now have access to toys and have commented on the value of play and the enjoyment that the children have got from the toy library.
- The container that will function as the toy library is in place and community members will soon be able to check out and exchange toys.
- Play sessions are being held, but there is no formal membership process in place.
- The project has evoked pride in the community and community members have indicated a commitment to ensure the library’s ongoing success.
Expenditure
The total budget for this project is R49 500 and has been paid in full.
| Description | Budget | Expenditure |
| Ordering of container | 18 500 | 19 950 |
| Ordering of toys | 15 000 | 15 000 |
| Purchase of materials for concrete slab | 7 500 | 5 020 |
| Throwing concrete slab | 3 500 | 4 500 |
| Thatching play area | 5 000 | - |
| TOTAL | 49 500 | 44 470 |
All materials for thatching the play area were donated. The remaining SASIX funding will be used toward the purchase of additional materials.
Challenges
- There have been significant time delays. LETCEE appointed community members to undertake the construction of the library. The community members have failed to meet project deadlines. This is due to poor community members lacking initiative, bad weather and illness of the contracted builder.
- Due to long distances and a lack of transport, there are children who have been unable to attend the library.
Monitoring and evaluation
- 397 children aged 6 years and younger; and 270 children aged 6 to 10 years (from 128 families) have been introduced to toys and the importance of play.
- Family facilitators have completed monthly reports detailing their experiences of and the results of introducing children to toys.
- Caregivers have been attending play sessions with their children. They are impressed by the role toys play in their children’s growth and learning.
Conclusions
Although the library services are not yet fully implemented, initial outputs suggest that it is having a positive impact on the children who are involved. This is in terms of both the children’s enjoyment of and access to materials that have promoted their overall development and learning.
Project delays have prohibited the timely completion of the project. The impact of the library will be reported on once the library has been established and caregivers, children and teachers are registered as library members.
