Children in Jordan learning through play

More than 145,000 vulnerable children in Jordan are learning through play since the LEGO Foundation donated over 3,000 LEGO Duplo Play Boxes and over 1,100 LEGO Play Boxes. The materials have been distributed in schools, kindergartens and Makani Centres throughout the country.

The donation made to UNICEF is helping children and their parents from vulnerable districts and Syrian refugees. “UNICEF is delighted to partner with the LEGO Foundation to promote quality learning and provide psychosocial support for vulnerable children in classrooms and in their communities across Jordan,” said Robert Jenkins, Representative, UNICEF Jordan.

Part of the donation includes training over 1,000 Ministry of Education teachers and facilitators in double-shifted schools, schools in refugee camps, Kindergarten classes and Makani centres. They are being trained in play-based methods that help children develop a broad set of skills.

“Play is paramount for all children’s healthy development and fostering the breadth of skills they need to navigate a complex and uncertain world. We know that play is a critical means for alleviating trauma and building resilience, and that engaging in play-based activities with responsive caregivers will ultimately help to give vulnerable children a better path forward,” said Sarah Bouchie, Head of Learning through Play in Early Childhood, the LEGO Foundation.

One of the beneficiaries, 9-year-old Yousef, commented “I feel very excited because I have achieved my dream and seen LEGO bricks right in front of me. We can make a house, an airplane, a machine and many other things using them.”

Feature Image: UNICEF/UN0250080/Herwig