Toys and Learning Materials Made By Parents for Children in Kenya

Toys and Learning Materials Made By Parents
for Children in Kenya
By Stephen Kisingi Lenaiyasa
Samburu Parents gathering materials for making outdoor play and learning materials)
1 ST DECEMBER 2004
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Toys and learning
materials made by
parents for children
in Kenya
PREAMBLE
Material development for
both learning and play are
a key component in the
Early Childhood Care and
Development program
(ECCD). This is based on
the fact that Play and
learning materials have a
significant role in a Child’s
growth and development.
Such materials include
swings, dolls, balls and
others.
Christian Children’s Fund
Kenya has through its early
childhood development
projects encouraged
development of play and
learning materials using
locally available resources
within the community as a
way of early stimulation for
development.
Play occupies a significant amount of time in a child’s life
especially the under 8 years old. It is because of this fact that
most of the home based and institutional ECCD centers are
equipped with child friendly playing materials relevant to their
immediate community.
Objective for play and learning material development include -:
• To enhance socialization
• To Promote team work
• To appreciate and preserve cultural values that
contribute to the resilience in children.
Materials are produced in ECCD centers by Caregivers,
Parents, Volunteer parents, Pre-schools teachers, ECCD
Center Committee members and Local Leaders.
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Early Childhood Care and Development Program
Christian Children's Fund is
an International organization
that works for the well being
of children by supporting
locally led initiatives that
strengthen families and
communities in human and
community development. In
Kenya, the organization
supports communities that
live within the operational
areas of its 48 affiliated
Community Based
Organizations within 31
districts countrywide.
CCF envisages a society
that nurtures and develops all
children to realize their
maximum potential. Its
mission is to promote growth
and well being of children by
empowering families and
communities to utilize
available resources and
opportunities for children
sustainable benefits. The
organization works through
programs such as early
childhood care and
development and education,
health and nutrition.
CCF has been committed to supporting children in getting the
best start in life through quality Early Childhood Care and
Development program. The program is geared towards
supporting the integral growth and development of children 0-8
years. It is based on the believe that development begins at
conception and learning begins at birth. It involves families and
the entire communities and partners to ensure children grow
and develop to be resilient in life.
CCF Kenya Early Childhood Care and Development Program
(ECCD) builds on existing family and community traditional
structures ,knowledge and skills to intervene for the
disadvantaged children. This involves expanding and
improving early childhood care and education facilities,
especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
The program propagates for all young children to be nurtured
in safe and caring environments that allow them become
healthy, resilient and secure .CCF Kenya over the years has
obtained evidence that good quality early childhood care and
education, both in families and in more structured programme,
have a positive impact on the survival, growth, development
and learning potential of children. The program focuses on
children’s needs encompassing physical, cognitive, socioemotional
and language development needs. It encourages
and promotes the use of a child’s mother tongue to build child
identity and inculcate community values as well as enrich the
care and development of children.
The program is unique and has taken different forms in the
country. This has been necessitated by the diversity of culture
and prevailing circumstances in the different communities.
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Building on the cultural
strengths
For example, pastoralist
communities have
admirable child rearing
practices through the loipi
model ,which CCF - Kenya
joined the community to
revive strong values which
were disappearing and
build on them. The loipi
(shade) concept has
commendably promoted
optimal nutrition and good
health, reduced child
mortality, enhanced child
physical growth, cognitive,
social and stimulation for
the children as well as
enhancing the school
enrollment among the
pastoralist communities.
The loipi
Loipi system amongst the Samburu community for example is
as old as the history of the Samburu people. The community
uses it to mean a circular fenced off area in the shade of big
acacia trees that serves as a day care facility for children.
Loipi (plural) can be translated as shades that provide refuge
from the scorching sun. Traditionally there were tree shades for
men and for women, where they rested during the day. The
shades were a famous meeting place in Samburu land as 75%
of their land is hot and dry and this means that inside their huts
was very hot and thus not conducive for holding meetings or
resting during the day. Within these place the parents use mud
,shrubs ,wood ,animal skins ,ropes ,stone ,waste , old and
used fabric materials ,traditional colors, beads and shells to
make the play materials.
A section of the Bendera loipi
Loipi (shade)
Western Kenya
The second example is of the sedentary fishermen of western
Kenya. The community is called “Luo” where their culture
demands that homesteads of dead couples should be
abandoned to dilapidate and eventually collapse. Their
settlements are densely populated , high level of poverty and
high prevalence of HIV/AIDS scourge coupled with land
shortage triggered CCF –K through the ECCD program to
utilize these huts as home based child care centers for young
orphans and children from the neighborhood. The community
has at its disposal banana fibers, bottle tops, old tattered
clothes, sisal, soil, ropes, stone, used paper bags, Leafs, waste
cartons and sacks that are used to make the learning and play
materials for the children.
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Central Kenya
The third examples, in other parts of central Kenya, local
churches are utilized as daycare centers during weekdays. The
learning and play materials are made in the church compound
by parents using local materials and given to children to
manipulate while at the center.
Kamwimbi ECCD center (CCF – Kenya Ishara project)
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Play materials no.1
1.1 Photos 1.2 Names
Indigenous sanga liliou (Samburu),Akipunet (Turkana)
English - swing(s)
1.3 Construction
• The structures are made using poles and loose suspended
ropes.
• The structures vary in height depending on the age and height of
children and materials used.
• Some swings are made with or without sitting surfaces that vary
in width and material used e.g. tyres or wood.
1.4 Usage
• Children swing to and fro with the help of the rope moderating
speed as one requires.
• The child can push him/herself or the peers or the caregivers
can push to gain higher heights.
1.5 Benefit
• Helps the children in strengthening their large muscles in the
backs and hand.
• Development of own balance.
• Builds confidence.
• Keeps their minds engaged and increases concentration.
• Promotes interaction and turn taking.
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Play materials no.2
2.1 Photos
2.2 Names
Indigenous - sirit (singular) sirito (plural) (Samburu )
Kiswahili - NGAZI
English - LADDER
2.3 Construction
The structures are made of wood. Two strong poles are erected on the ground
two on each side, a number of wooden planks fixed across the two erected
poles on each side, and then a flat wide pole is fixed at the meeting point of the
four poles as a bridge.
2.4 Usage
• Children compete as they run up the ladders and down while their
peers cheers them.
• The children climb from one point to the other in turn.
2.5 Benefit
• Helps stimulate the ability to withstand fatigue as they climb a
mountain or raised grounds later in life.
• Helps develop stronger muscles.
• Children are able to climb up the trees fast in times of danger e.g. when
chased by wild animals.
• Enhance the courage of children.
• Build confidence
• Recreational activity for socialization.
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Play materials no.3
Photo 3.1
3.2 Names
Indigenous – Ngorimba, Nkirashai ,Enkaji (Samburu) AKOI (Turkana)
Kiswahili - Nyumba
English - Hut
3.3 Construction
This is a traditional toy hut for a Samburu community; The toy hut measures approx.
one and a half meters from the group, and it serves all the family members. It’s
constructed using twigs of trees and plastered with ash mixed with cow dung and mud.
It contains the bedroom (ruat), resting area (iture) and kitchen (akima). The hut has
one door opening (nkutukengaji) which is the in-let and outlet of the house at the rear .
It has an opening acting as a window (longu).
3.4 Usage
Children especially girls enter the house and imitate the role of mothers at home e.g.
cooking, house arrangements and tidying, while boys assemble stones and imitate the
role of fathers by herding.
3.5 Benefit
• Helps the children develop and appreciate their traditional setting, imitate
parents as well as learn roles expected of them as they become future adults
of the community.
• Helps children develop and retain their in-born practices in contrast to
modern lifestyle.
• Enhances children appreciation of own sexes and gender roles.
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Play materials no.4
Photo 4.1 4. 2 Names
Indigenous - Lumwa (Samburu)
ALOLOTY(Turkana)
English –Tunnels
4.3 Construction
The structures are made using fresh twigs of trees, which are folded and fixed on the
ground on both ends, a chain of the twigs is alternated varying from a taller to a shorter
one and it continues(the twigs should be smooth to avoid injuries to children).
4.4 Usage
When children play is in progress the children make a line on one side and run trough the
structure in turns. A song may be sung as they run they run from one end to another.
4.5 Benefit
Helps develop children’s: -
! Strong back muscles
! Flexibility in muscle co-ordination.
! Develop social interaction skills
! Develop security and emotional satisfaction
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Play materials no.5
Photo 5.1
5. 2 Names
Indigenous - Nkasiri (Samburu)
English – Puzzle
5.3 Construction
The puzzle is made using hard paper, where the caregiver makes sketches of different
items and animals. The children use it and try to make up the animals and objects they
know.
5.4 Usage
Different structured parts of the various items e.g. domestic animals, houses, trees, dolls
are mixed up and children are given to make up the full models.
Always there are key parts of each item to guide the child.
The caregivers always demonstrate.
5.5 Benefit
• Enhances Cognitive development
• Children are able to differentiate items as well a make them enhancing physical and
cognitive growth and development.
• Enhance concentration span for children.
• Identify different textures
• Develop manipulation skills
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Play materials no.6
Photo 6.1
6.2 NAMES
Indigenous- Nkitanyanukot (Samburu)
Kiswahili - Wanyama wa pori
English - Wild animals models
6.3 Construction
These are models of wild animals (Elephant, ostrich, crocodile, giraffes) made of
clay, wood, shrubs and local paints.
6.4 Usage.
• The animal models are used during story telling by grandmothers
and other caregivers in the centers
• Children hide in them during pretend play
6.5 Benefit
• The modeled animals are used by the caregivers to educate the
children on the wild animals within the community
• Children can be able to differentiate between the dangerous animals
from the domestic animals.
• Children are taught the value of the wild animals and the need to
preserve them.
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Play materials no.7
Photo 7.1
7.2 NAME
Indigenous - Ntames (Samburu)
Kiswahili - Ngamia
English - Camel
7.3 Construction
The models of domestic animals help children to appreciate them and know how to keep them, this is
critical for boys as they learn herding skills.
7.4 Usage
The model camel is used by the caregivers to educate the children on the benefits of camels.
7.5 Benefit
• It helps the children to know the use and value attached to specific domestic animals.
• It gives children an opportunity to clearly distinguish between one domestic animal and
another.
• It prepares the young children in advance of the roles expected of them in their adulthood.
• It gives children an opportunity to be pre-occupied and socialized as they herd in groups.
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Play materials no.8
Photo 8.1
8.2 NAME
Indigenous - Nkurumba (Samburu)
Kiswahili – Punda
English - Loaded Donkey
8.3 Construction
The toy donkey is made using fresh twig of trees and strong poles tied together using
barks and pieces of clothes the structure gives a portrait of traditional form of transport
hence children load and unload the structure and lead it around
8.4 Usage
• Used for learning and demonstrations by caregivers.
• Used for story telling
• Learn the donkey roles.
• Used as a resting place for younger children as caregivers rest and share experiences.
8.5 Benefit
• It helps in stimulating and acquisition of migrating skills to young children e.g. loading
and unloading of the donkey structure, which acts as traditional means of transport.
• Helps children to know use, and value attached to specific domestic animals.
• It gives the children an opportunity to be pre-occupied and socialize as they help each
other in loading and unloading.
• Keeps them busy and make them forget their mothers at home hence stop crying.
• It helps stimulate the child’s exploration and discovery skills as they touch.
• Stimulate imagination and abstract thinking among young children.
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Play materials no.9
Photo 9.1
9.2 Names
Indigenous - Loidi
English - High jump
9. 3 Construction
The structure is made using two either y-shaped or flat stumps erected on the
ground 5m apart from each other and one horizontal stick loosely and
temporarily placed on the y-points on both sides, the children then jump as
high as possible to cross the horizontal stick. the top should be loose so as
not to injure the child who is unable to jump over ,it is also light in weight.
9.4 Usage
The children jump high across the horizontal stick, which is adjusted higher
depending on the child’s ability to jump higher.
9.5 Benefit
Helps develop children’s: -
! Body muscles.
! Strengthening of their bones.
! Builds confidence in children through encouragement .
! Promote competition among children.
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Photo 10.1
10. 2 NAME
Indigenous - Nkelde
English - Tyres and rings
Rings
10.3 Construction
Old cars and bicycles tyres.
The rings can be made using a flexible twig(s) which bent and tied to
make a circular ring.
10.4 Usage
• Children play with them by rolling using both hands.
• Several children compete with each other using their own
Nkelde (wheel) the competition may be within a given area.
• Swing across the waist.
10.5 Benefit
• It helps develop hand coordination in young children.
• Develops the young children in muscular development.
• Promote child to child learning.
• Enhances concentration.
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Play materials no.11
Photo 11.1
11. 2 NAME
English – Playing wooden bars
11. 3 Construction
The structure is made of firm wood, All ends are firmly fixed on poles that are
attached to the ground .The wood is polished to eliminate injuries and then
painted.
11.4 Usage
Children jump over the wood ,crawl under the wings as they play moving
round and round
Children sit on the flat surfaces all round and is also used as a resting area for
children.
11.5 Benefit
• Strong muscular development especially the back muscles as the
activity involves moderate bending.
• Enables the children to withstand fatigue as the activity involves a lot
of running and moderate bending.
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Play materials no.12
Photo 12.1
12. 2 NAME
English - See-saws
12.3 Construction
The structure has one strong short pole fixed firmly on the ground. A large hole
is made near the top quarter of the pole, then a horizontal wooden bar is slide
through and barriers fixed at both ends.
12.4 usage
Children of different weight sit on the horizontal bar on either side and try to
raise each other to a balance.
The number of children on the see saw depend on the weight of the peers and
the strength of the bar.
12.5 Benefit
• Develops eye hand co-ordination.
• Develops social interaction skills
• Promotes child ability to balance
• Develops self confidence.
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Play materials no.13
Photo 13.1
13. 2 Names
Kiswahili – Aina tofauti ya vitu vya michezo ya watoto kama mpira ,
English – assortment of toys and learning materials.
13. 3 Construction
Different materials are used ranging from wood, hard paper, beads, clay, sisal,
used fabrics, used sacks and banana fibers.
13.4 How to use
Used within the daycares centers.
13. 5 Benefit to the child
• Stimulate creative imagination
• Introduce to puppet shows
• Promote socialization
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Play materials no.14
Photo 14.1
14.2 Names
Indigenous – Ntotoi (Samburu )
14.3 Construction
The structure is made up of wood or soft stone where several depressions are
made where smoothened stones are put in.
14.4 Usage
Children place stones in the depression; each should hold a maximum of three
stone. The child then collects all stone when a maximum of three are reached
and continues. Two to three children can play the game.
14.5 Benefit
o
o
Enhance Childs ability to count and simple arithmetic’s
develop skills and creativity styles
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Play materials no.15
Photo 15.1
15.2 Names
Indigenous –Lotirtir ,likopita (Samburu)
Kiswahili - Ndege
English - Helicopter
15.3 Construction
Clay, shrubs and pieces of metal are used to model the helicopter.
15.4 Usage
Used by caregivers and grandparents during story telling.
Children play in them as hiding areas.
15.5 Benefit
Children can identify teachers not within their local area.
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Play materials no.16
Photo 16.1
16.2 Name
Indigenous - Lmarseli (Lmarsewin) Samburu
English – Dolls
16.3 Construction
The dolls are made using different materials , commonly used are the
tattered clothes ,leaves seeds ,sisal fibers ,banana fibers e.t.c
The banana fibers are put in water to easy the work.
16.4 Usage
For role play.
16.5 benefit
Identification of gender roles.
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Play materials no.17
Photo 17.1
17.2 Names
Kiswahili – Mpira
English - Balls
17.3 Construction
This is made up of used fabrics, leaves, and papers, wrapped in a polythene
paper then secured by strings.
16.4 Usage
Kicking and throwing
16.5 benefit
• Helps in muscular development.
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Play materials no.18
Photo 18.1
17.2 Names
Indigenous – Nkirinkirimi (Samburu )
English – bottle tops.
17.3 Construction
They are collected within the shopping centers.
16.4 Usage
Children make blocks ,numbers ,letters using them
16.5 benefit
• Children are able to learn counting.
• Develops the fine motor skills
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Play materials no.19
Photo 19.1
17.2 Names
Indigenous – Nampai (Samburu)
English – Alphabetical letters and numerical numbers.
17.3 Construction
Beads, skin, paints, used sacks, empty containers, threads are used.
16.4 Usage
Used as teaching aids
16.5 benefit
Child can identify with the materials.
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