Kenya National Library Services (KNLS) and World Vision Kenya stakeholders have called for the need to promote integrated play based activities in ECDE schools and other education forums as a way of equipping learners with lifelong love for learning.
The stakeholders coined the ‘Build a World of Play’’ slogan to enhance learning experiences for ECDE learners, where play first for enjoyment is spiced with access to academic materials packed with knowledge.
Embu KNLS senior librarian Phyllis Muchoki, while briefing Education News about promotion and expansion of reading culture, said that children needed attractive environments to be attracted to books and reading.
The librarian confirmed that the adoption of play and read system of education had seen large numbers of children appreciate reading.
She said efforts to strengthen families’ understanding of the value of play in pre-primary settings and at home have also been incorporated.
The play and read project was initially partly funded by LEGO at a tune of Ksh3million and has successfully seen more than 6,000 learners, teachers and 5,000 caregivers in Nairobi, Kakamega and Narok counties mobilised to embrace the new study culture.
Geoffrey Kativa, a director at World Vision Kenya, said the programme encourages a reading culture among ECDE learners often ignored in some areas of education policies.
“This system underlines the power of play in improving learning outcomes among early learners through the promotion of effective use of play-based activities,’’ he said, adding that expansion of the programme has seen libraries across the country initiate their own locally coordinated and funded forums.
According to Kativa, the programme is backed by research findings by leading educationists, especially those drawn from UNESCO.
An ECDE teacher at St Mary Gatondo Primary School who sought anonymity pointed out that learning among children should incorporate acceptable levels of play.
She stated that the project has led to the refurbishment of children’s sections in some libraries into colourful children corners stocked with relevant learning materials as well as educational games and toys.
By Robert Nyagah
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