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All children, whether they have grown up in Canada or a developing country, enjoy games and playtime.
That is exactly why UBC Okanagan Assist. Professor, Stephen Berg decided to travel overseas to introduce playtime and inclusion into classrooms in Rwanda.
As a teacher in the faculty of Education, Berg has seen just how beneficial play time can be.
“It doesn’t matter where you live,” said Berg.
“All children love to play.”
Teaming up with global organization, Right To Play, Berg will travel to Rwanda the first week of May to work in classrooms with students and demonstrate how important play and inclusion is to a child’s education.
“We need to ask how we can make it so that every child, regardless of ability around the world, learns and succeeds in school.”
Berg first travelled to Rwanda in 2012, experiencing the technique of using play to teach children skills. During his first visit, he witnessed the young students learning how to protect themselves from malaria using fun activities. Berg said the kids were so engaged in the activity, they didn’t even realize they were learning.
In his trip over in May, Berg will host a full-day workshop with Right To Play. Local educators will also be on hand to learn from Berg and his team members.
“At Right To Play, we believe play is a powerful learning tool,” said CEO and president of Right to Play International, Kevin Frey.
“It engages children’s interest, motivating them to learn inside and outside the classroom. Games, songs, sports, theatre and other types of play help break down social barriers and expand the ways children think and behave with one another.”
Back on home soil in Kelowna, Berg has used Right To Play techniques in Okanagan elementary schools. He has found a positive response when using the Reflect-Connect-Apply, in which students participate in the fun activity, reflect on what they learned and then connect their learnings to what they already know, feel and believe.
“Seeing the program in action is remarkable. You see children playing and having fun while also learning through their engagement with the activity.”
Berg said that regardless of whether a school is in Kelowna or Rwanda, he believes play as a learning tool should be implemented into all classrooms.
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