Playful ways to grow your child’s brain

Playful ways to grow your child’s brain

We all want the best for our children. We want them to grow up healthy, happy and full of potential. But here is what we all should know: as parents and caregivers, we have a vital role to play in helping them realise their potential/become the best they can be - and that doesn’t start when they go to school. It starts right from the very beginning, in the small moments of connection, care and play.

Whether you’re a caregiver, parent, gogo, grandfather, uncle, auntie or older sibling, you don’t need fancy toys or lots of money to help a baby or young child learn and thrive. What you do need is love, curiosity and some good ideas.

That’s why we’re sharing some great links to free activities that spark early learning and brain development. Most are simple, everyday things, like singing, chatting, cooking or making something together.You can do them at home, outside, or on your lap, anywhere.

Some of these resources come from overseas, but many ideas can be easily adapted for your own home, culture and language.

Let’s play!
Visit Learning Through Play for fun activities grouped by age. These ideas are great for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, with simple ways to build language and thinking skills through play.

Local is lekker
Check out the Wordworks Play and Learn Activities for early literacy and learning activities developed right here in SouthAfrica. They offer great downloadable resources for caregivers of children aged0–4 years (available in 4 South African languages). They are updating their website in October this year, so look out for even more great ideas!

Everyday brain builders
Vroom turns daily routines into brain-building moments. Learn how bath time, snack time or even changing a nappy can be used to grow your child’s brainpower.

From tiny babies to curious kids
At Raising Children, you’ll find expert-backed ideas on how babies and toddlers learn through play. There are tips for different stages, from tummy time to early talking.

Words for life
Explore age-specific activities at Words for Life. From songs to games, these ideas help you talk, sing and play your way to stronger bonds and smarter kids.

Brain-building through play

The Center on the Developing Childhas links to handouts with fun ideas for games and play-based braining building activities

Research shows that love, food, safety and  stimulation are the four building blocks of child development. And the earlier we start, the better.

The National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) and Hold My Hand aim to give every child in South Africa the chance to grow up with the tools they need to thrive. One of its top priorities? Helping parents and caregivers support early learning in the home, especially in the first three years of life.

So go ahead. Try one new idea today. Because when you hold a child’s hand, you shape their whole future.