Learn To Play - Ithute Go Tshameka

Learn To Play (LTP) was founded in 2017 with a mission of weaving mindful play into the fabric of African early learning for every child, starting with Botswana. Faced with the stark reality that three out of four children in Botswana lack access to early childhood education, and recognising the broader continental challenge where, by 2050, an estimated 400 million children in Africa will be at risk of poor social, emotional, and mental well-being, LTP is on a mission to change these trajectories through play-based learning.

Our organisation is committed to making early childhood education accessible and meaningful across Africa by implementing innovative programs such as playgroups, parenting programs, and mindful play. At the heart of our approach is the concept of mindful play, which emphasises activities that support children's emotional awareness and self-regulation. By engaging in mindful play, children develop a strong foundation for lifelong learning and well-being, equipping them to navigate challenges, build healthy relationships, and enhance their cognitive abilities.

Since our inception, we have established a robust presence in Botswana and beyond. LTP began with a pilot program in three communities, focusing on playgroup activities designed to prepare children aged 2-5 for school readiness. These playgroups are led by trained Maatla Mamas (“Strong Mothers” in Setswana) from the local communities, emphasising social and emotional learning through mindful play practices. Today, our playgroup program operates in 11 communities across seven districts in Botswana, impacting over 550 children daily and providing sustainable livelihoods for 35 Maatla Mamas. This growth reflects our deep commitment to listening to and understanding the needs of the communities we serve, allowing us to tailor our programs to meet local challenges effectively.

In addition to our playgroup initiative, LTP has developed two additional programs to address the diverse needs of early learners and their caregivers. The Parent Playbox is designed for children aged 0-6 and their caregivers, equipping families with the resources, activities, and confidence to engage in weekly play-based learning at home. This program fosters early learning and enhances family well-being, recognizing the crucial role that caregivers play in a child's development. Our third program, the Mindful Way, is Africa’s first mindful play initiative, introducing daily 15-minute social and emotional activities to complement existing early learning programs for children aged 3-6. These programs are not only implemented in Botswana but have also been adopted by partner organisations in three other African countries, allowing us to extend our impact across the continent.

A key aspect of our work is the emphasis on sustainability and community involvement. By training partner organisations across Africa to implement our Parent Playbox and Mindful Way programs, we ensure that our initiatives are delivered by individuals who are deeply connected to the communities they serve. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that our programs are culturally relevant and sustainable in the long term.

Our commitment to evidence-based practice is another cornerstone of our organisation. In partnership with Children On The Edge and The University of Chichester in the UK, we developed the Play-based Programme Assessment Tool, a comprehensive method to evaluate the quality of play-based early learning programs. This tool includes both direct child assessments and environmental assessments focusing on safety, resources, relationships, and inclusivity. Our data-driven approach has yielded impressive results: 93% of the children in LTP programs meet their school readiness milestones before entering primary school, and children participating in our Mindful Way program have shown a 33% improvement in social and emotional learning outcomes.

Looking to the future, LTP is committed to expanding our footprint both within Botswana and across Africa. We are currently collaborating closely with the government of Botswana to identify priority areas and ensure that we are providing access to early learning in the regions where it is most needed. Additionally, we are supporting existing government pre-schools with training and curriculum development to enhance the quality of education provided.

Beyond Botswana, we are actively working with partner organisations in other African countries to train them in our programs, augmenting existing early learning initiatives and strengthening family support systems. Over the next five years, we aim to reach 200,000 children, caregivers, and educators across Africa through our innovative programs.

Learn To Play is dedicated to creating a world where every child in Africa has the opportunity to thrive through quality early childhood education. By fostering a culture of play and mindfulness, we are not only preparing children for academic success but also laying the foundation for a lifetime of well-being and positive relationships. We are excited about the future and are committed to scaling our impact to benefit more children and families across the continent.