Presentation on ECCD toys and learning materials

TOYS AND LEARNING MATERIALS FOR ECCD.Experience with Save the Children supported programmeInternational Save the Children Alliance1

How do children learn?PLAY!!!!!!!!– Play is a universal process.– Play is an optimal experience to encourage all seven identifiedintelligences (Theory of multiple intelligences by Howard Gardner -1983)• Vocabulary, grammar, and the ability to sustain conversational exchanges.• Music through chants, clapping games, and play with musical instruments.• Logical mathematical skills as they play with blocks, counting, comparing, andpredicting as they build their constructions.• Visual spatial skills through art activities, visual matching, and making visualsigns.• Bodily-kinesthetic learning through climbing, running, catching a ball, andplaying a variety of sports (fine and gross motor skills).• Personal intelligence in thematic play as children become aware of theirfeelings, thoughts, likes and dislikes.• Social skills as children play and try out social roles, learn to see the worldthrough other people's perspectives, and use language for negotiation andproblem solving. 22

PLAY AND LEARN USING LOCAL MATERIALS• INDOOR PLAY ANDLEARNING.– Initially Save the Childrenstarted with purchase of plastictoys from Chinese industry toequip 4 pilot centres supportedsince 2009 in Rubaya (Gicumbi).– Identification of local artists inKigali and Gahini who can makea variety of toys and learningmaterials in wood adapted tothe age of children and to theRwandan context (abaci,building blocks, diamondshapes…): around 30 modelsChildren using wooden toys and learningmaterials in class.3

PLAY AND LEARN USING LOCAL MATERIALS• OUTDOOR PLAY ANDLEARNING.– Save the Children startedproviding metal playgroundequipment in the 4 pilot ECCDcentres of Rubaya in 2009– Challenges related to metalmaterials: community membersare unable to maintain andrepair them because it requiressoldering in rural areas withoutpower supply.– Development of playgroundmaterials in locally availablematerials (wood, old tyres…)that communities can maintainusing local skills (carpentry,construction).Children playing on the “ wooden house”and developing the gross motor skills.Metal playground equipment4

PLAY AND LEARN USING LOCAL MATERIALS7 MODELS OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT IN LOCAL MATERIALS1. Train 2.Set of tyres 3. Wooden house 4. Suspended bridge5. seesaw 6. Swing 7. slide5

COLLECTION AND USE OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE MATERIALSWITH PARENTS INVOLVEMENT• Materials that are sometimesconsidered as useless can be excellentlearning materials for children (bottletops, plastic bottles, boxes, etc.)Creative activitiestesting withchildren usinglocally collectedmaterials.• Training sessions withcaregivers and parents on useof the Creative ActivitiesToolkit and collection oflocally available materials• A toolkit for CreativeActivities developed asguidance for caregivers andparents on collection and useof locally available materials.6

THANK YOU!7