CQ is the new EQ of IQ: Ntataise in a time of Covid-19

In 1980 it was IQ; 2010 was EQ; in 2020 it’s CQ – change quotient; the ability to adapt to the new ever-changing environment.*

The Covid-19 pandemic has compelled us to change the way we think about how we move, work, connect, learn and play. With the closure of schools and ECD facilities in mid-March, Ntataise put a hold on our training, mentoring and development programmes. With the subsequent onset and extension of the lockdown, we have ramped up how we maintain regular contact with and support, the ECD practitioners, parents and communities with whom we work. Despite the lockdown, it is vitally important to keep the momentum going and ensure that services for young children do not grind to a halt. For Ntataise, this time has presented an opportunity to focus our attention, and together with our Network of 20 ECD Resource and Training Organisations across 7 provinces, re-engineer ways to support and continue the learning, nurturing care and stimulation of young children whilst at home.

In March 2017, Ntataise launched an innovative audio-visual play activity series consisting of seventeen three to four-minute video clips which provide a visual demonstration of simple, fun, stimulating play activities to do with young children. This series was initially intended for use as a teaching aide in Ntataise training and development programmes. The current crisis has been an opportune time to mobilise our thinking around ways to extend the reach of this play activity series to a wider audience.

Keeping in mind that most of the communities in which Ntataise and its Network operate may not have access to wi-fi or be able to afford the excessively high data costs, Ntataise has re-packaged the audio-visual clips in a way which uses less data and included images and step-by-step text descriptions of the activities parents can do with their children using items found around the home. Although the video clips are currently only available in English, the text descriptions which accompany each video are being translated into a range of South African languages, this made possible by leveraging the diverse language expertise within the Ntataise Network. These activities, together with relevant, verified, information from reliable sources on Covid-19 and good hygiene practices, are distributed on a daily basis through a range of Ntataise Network WhatsApp groups and social media platforms.

To access and download these home learning activities, visit the Ntataise website www.ntataise.org/videos/  Ntataise FacebookTwitter or LinkedIn pages.