Our Model - Parent Playbox

The Parent Playbox

The Parent Playbox, developed in partnership with Kids Collab, is a community-based parenting programme that strengthens caregiver wellbeing as a pathway to improving child outcomes using shared Playboxes. Through regular sessions led by social workers or community volounteers, parents build supportive social networks, learn practical and culturally relevant play-based activities, and develop the confidence and skills needed to nurture their children’s development.

By 2035, the Paren Playbox will reach a quarter of a million caregivers in Africa - strengthening their relationships and fostering improved caregiver-child wellbeing, social and emotional learning, and physical development for children.

Key activities

Training - social workers receive in-depth training on positive and playful parenting skills, how to use the box, and how to facilitate group sessions with caregivers.

Group sessions - Caregivers attend regular sessions led by trained social workers to learn activities to implement at home with their children.

Activities - Parents receive knowledge on 52 playful learning activities for 0-2 and 3-6 years respectively.

Key outcomes

Increased quality and time of interactions between caregivers and children

Improved caregiver-child relationships and wellbeing

Strengthened social & emotional and physical development learning outcomes for children aged 0-6

Why The Parent Playbox?

1.

A guided approach to implement a parenting programme for organisations working with caregivers under six which includes training, operations, and monitoring and evaluation.

2.

Tailored delivery model for activities from facilitator training and access to language neutral videos for extra support.

3.

A lifetime royalty free license after your organisation is trained by Learn To Play.

I used to think only children play. My parents did not play with me when I was young so I didn’t grow up knowing how to play with mom or dad. I just knew my role was to be given food and go to sleep. However, now you are showing us the importance of playing with our children. I didn’t know I could do it because I wasn’t used to it, but now, I am close to my child. I used to be strict with my child. If my child made a mistake, I would scold them, but now I see changes. I see the results.

-Parent in Dukwi Refugee Camp during an interview with an independent researcher