The Organization for Responsible Governance and partners have launched a new pilot program aimed at supporting, empowering, and educating parents of young children. Working with the Ministry of Education, the not-for-profit foundation launched the early childhood development program - National Playdates -a series of public “playdates” which bring together young children and their parents to foster communities of mutual support, give informative resources for early childhood development and parenting, and provide a safe space for parents and children to have fun together.
The event was held in collaboration with the Early Childhood Unit of the Ministry of Education at the Edmund Moxey Park on Blue Hill Road with support and donations from D’albenas Agency, Ltd., Burns House and Vitamalt, Dairy Queen, Aquapure, and Fidelity Bank.
Throughout the event, children and parents were led through various bonding and educational activities such as parent-child play and games, a Money Matters talk by Shenell Gibson of Fidelity Bank, Story Time with local literacy advocate Storyella, and arts and crafts with representatives from the MOE. Snacks, drinks, fruit, and sweet treats were provided thanks to event sponsors.
ORG Education Consultant, Tiffany A. Bain, stated that the event is the first in a series which hopes to run through the rest of the school year.
“The event was a great success. The children and parents had a great time and we had full family involvement, with older kids and grandparents joining in the fun,” said Bain. “We will be hosting three additional playdates, rotating to different public pre-schools throughout Nassau, to build a final model that is easily replicable with or without ORG. We know that the early years are some of the most crucial in a child’s life and research shows that parental engagement can significantly impact academic success. This program will not only encourage parent-child interaction while providing support and informational resources for parents of young children but will also encourage them to build and sustain communities of support amongst themselves.”
The National Playdate is one of three ORG Early Childhood initiatives designed to improve access and attention to development and learning in the first 1000 days of a child’s life. This program uses parent engagement and involvement as the driver of improved long-term outcomes for students beginning in the pre-primary years. Research identifies parent engagement/involvement as significant factor in early childhood development – a factor which ultimately has implications for the country’s economic predictions, crime rates and labor market opportunities.
Ms. Bain stated that support from the local and business communities was crucial to making the events a success. “We owe a huge thanks to our partners and sponsors from D’albenas Agency, Ltd., Burns House and Vitamalt, Dairy Queen, Aquapure, and Fidelity Bank. The event could not have happened without them. As ORG rolls out more playdates we invite public and private partners are to join ORG in this national investment in the future of The Bahamas. We are always in need of snacks and supplies as well as guest speakers on kid/parent-friendly topics.” Those interested in participating in the National Playdates can contact The Organization for Responsible Governance at: info@Orgbahamas.com.
ORG partnered with the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Unit (ECU) to put on the National Playdate series. L-R: Elle Rhodriguez, ECU MOE; Thalia Robertson, Coconut Grove Preschool; Tiffany A. Bain, Education Consultant, ORG Bahamas; Ferdilia Isma-Dareus, Coconut Grove Preschool; Amanda Lewis-Adderley, ORG Volunteer and initiator of the National Playdate concept.
Local literacy advocate Storyella reads a story to kids and parents
The Early Childhood Unit of the MOE hosted an arts and crafts session based on the book from storytime – Duck on a Bike
Family Affair: Older kids were invited to join their younger siblings for full family fun.
Sherell Gibson of Fidelity Bank gives a talk on “Money Matters” Family1: Parents were encouraged to come and spend quality time with their kids at the National Playdate
Parents were encouraged to come and spend quality time with their kids at the National Playdate
National Playdates was a time for children to connect with kids their own age and parents to meet other parents.
Every parent and child left the National Playdate with age appropriate books to read together.
Playing is thirsty work! Sponsors Aquapure and Vitamalt (Burns House Ltd.) kept the kids hydrated
The day ended with sweet treats from Dairy Queen and D’Albenas Agency.
Participants of the National Playdate enjoy the playgrounf at the Edmund Moxey Park on Blue Hill Rd.
