In a ground-breaking initiative and just in time for International Day of Education, the Afrika Tikkun Bambanani (ATB) and Think Equal training programs, sponsored by Capitec Bank, were integrated into 128 classrooms in Orange Farm last week. Training took place at the Afrika Tikkun Arekopaneng Centre by the ATB trainers. The merging of these two esteemed curriculums created excitement from the ATB team, who eagerly anticipated the outcome and feedback.
The ATB curriculum, known for its alignment with the South African Department of Education and international certification, is recognised as the only Early Childhood Development (ECD) curriculum in the country to attain such prestigious validation. On the other hand, Think Equal, a psychosocial program spearheaded by renowned film producer Leslee Udwin and a team of esteemed early learning education experts, covers the social and emotional aspects of a child’s development.
During the training sessions, teachers exhibited keen interest in exploring the teachings of Think Equal, which focuses on social and emotional development. One particular aspect that stood out was the introduction of the “mood meter” within the curriculum training. Teachers enthusiastically placed themselves on the mood meter each day, providing valuable insight into their emotional state and aiding educators in tailoring their approach accordingly.
The training sessions were not only informative but also fostered an environment where teachers freely expressed their challenges and sought possible solutions. Group activities played an integral role in facilitating idea sharing and perspective exchange among the participants.
As the training session concluded, the ATB team was overwhelmed by the positive feedback they received from the teachers. The impact of the merged curriculums was a huge success, marking a promising start to this innovative educational approach.
A highlight of each training day was the morning event, where facilitators led teachers to the playground to kickstart the day with morning rings, games, and the joyous singing of nursery rhymes. This energizing routine effectively set the tone for productive sessions ahead.
Engaging group activities were included in the training, with one particularly enjoyed by the teachers being the creation of playdough masterpieces. Tasked with crafting various shapes, teachers tapped into their creative sides, resulting in visually stunning shapes and objects.
As the ATB and Think Equal training came to a close, it became evident that the merging of these two curriculums held immense potential for enhancing early childhood education. With positive feedback from teachers and an evident passion for this innovative approach, the quest for quality education continues with renewed vigour in the Orange Farm community.
For more information about Afrika Tikkun Bambanani or to find out how you can donate to the programme, please visit https://afrikatikkunbambanani.org/
