Learn To Play

Weaving mindful play into the fabric of African early learning for every child.

3 out of 4 children in Botswana do not have access to early childhood education and by 2050, 400 million children in Africa will be at risk of poor social, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Learn To Play is making play-based early childhood education accessible in Africa through playgroups, parenting programmes and mindful play.

Mindful play supports children to develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. By engaging in activities that promote emotional awareness and self-regulation, children learn to navigate challenges, build healthy relationships and develop their cognitive abilities.

840 children enrolled daily in playgroups across Botswana.

1838 families supported with the Parent Playbox.

5 countries Implementing Learn To Play programmes

Championing Communities and Cultures: We promise to always champion the communities and cultures we serve, reflecting local wisdom in our programmes and partnerships.

Nurturing Happy and Confident Children: Learn To Play’s Mindful Way nurtures happy and confident children who are ready for school through playful early learning and responsive parenting.

Uplifting Caregivers and Educators: Learn To Play provides caregivers and educators the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to raise happy and healthy children who play, learn, and thrive.

MORE ABOUT OUR JOURNEY

our model

We implement programmes directly in Botswana and train partner organisations across Africa to run The Parent Playbox and Mindful Way.

Our direct work in Botswana addresses both access and quality of early learning by setting up playgroups and supporting existing centres. Across Africa, by training partners, we ensure programmes are delivered by people closest to communities in a sustainable manner to address caregiver and child wellbeing.

Sign up to our newsletter!

our impact

Learn To Play has developed a robust approach towards assessing our impact that includes monitoring and evaluation frameworks for each of our programmes.

Our successes in Botswana working in partnership with communities and the government have informed the development of programmes that are now scaling across the African continent.

MORE ABOUT OUR IMPACT

88%

School Ready Children: Evidence by The Assessment for Play-based Early Childhood Education

4

Partner Organisations: Implementing The Parent Playbox and Mindful Play curriculum in four countries.

60

Maatla Mamas: Lifted above the poverty line by implementing playgroups.

13

Communities Engaged: Collaborating with local leaders in Botswana to build supportive learning environments.

voices of our Community...

Learn To Play is tackling one of the most important challenges of our time - equitable development opportunities for the growing population of children in Botswana and beyond across the continent. Dovetail Impact Foundation is honoured to continue supporting Learn To Play's team as they rise to this challenge with the incredible combination of humility, drive, and dedication to the children they serve above all.

~ Anna Koons

Knowledge and Learning Officer at Dovetail

From our very first interaction, it was clear that we wanted to work with this incredible team. When the concept of The Parent Playbox started to take shape, we eagerly embraced the opportunity to collaborate.The Parent Playbox is a powerful tool designed to uplift not only caregivers and children but entire communities. Learn To Play's commitment to meeting communities where they are and addressing gaps in early childhood development is truly inspiring. We are proud to count them as one of our core partners at Kids Collab, and we look forward to the positive impact we will continue to make together.

~ Whitney and Rachel

Founders of Kids Collab

LTP empowers the child and the mamas. Before LTP the children had no access to early childhood education. It is amazing to witness the ripple effect that the playgroup has on the mamas, children and community as a whole. I hope LTP can continue to grow and reach more communities in and outside of Botswana.

~ Delic G Sehunwe

Former Deputy Director of Community Development (Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development)

“Supporting LTP is an honour as it is not just an organisation seeking funds to run their affairs but rather an organisation planting seeds for children’s educational development. And through their excellent Maatla Mama program, they’re creating a better future for women and children in Botswana.”

~ Aswin Vaidyanathan

Head of the Assurance division and Partner at Grant Thornton

our partners in play

Stories from our
playground

23 Jun 2026 |

Community

Play Is Built To Last

When we hear the words “refugee camp,” most people think temporary. Transitional. In-between. But this isn’t the case at all. Dukwi Refugee Camp sits in the...