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“The first classroom is the home.”
Led by implementers and collaborators from Kidogo and Lively Minds, the conversation shared practical insights on empowering families and scaling impact. We invite you to catch up on the conversation in the video above, or read on as we share our learnings.
Key Takeaways
1. Parents are the most powerful force in early learning
You don't need to be an expert teacher to boost a child's development. Simple, every day interactions – play, storytelling, talking with your child – create the foundation for learning. Helping parents understand their role as educators can dramatically shift outcomes.
2. Start with what families already have
Quality early childhood education doesn't require expensive toys or new buildings. Communities can build on local knowledge, reimagine common materials as simple play materials, and create supportive peer groups for parents.
3. Invest in parents, not just programmes
When parents gain skills and confidence, children benefit – and so do communities! Supporting caregivers has ripple effects: stronger livelihoods, better health practices, and more resilient communities. It's part of a positive feedback loop.
4. Collaboration makes scale possible
Government systems, NGOs, and funders can multiply their impact by partnering with parents, rather than trying to replace them. Sustainable financing and policy support work best when they're built on collaboration and community ownership. Parents will stay in a community long after an NGO may need to leave.
5. Shift the mindset on what "education" means
Education starts at school, not at home. Recognising the role of parents as co-creators and co-learners reframes ECE as a shared responsibility, not a service delivered from the outside. Changing this mindset can help change the motivation that parents have to building enriching experiences for their children.
The challenge for all of us
The question isn't whether parents have a role in transforming education – they are crucial! The challenge is how to build structures that support them durable and sustainably.
- How do we support parents with tools, training and time?
- How do we make sure financing and policy systems keep families at the centre?
- How do we share these practices across communities and at larger scales?
The HundrED Community is actively tackling these issues. Join us for our upcoming Community Conversations by becoming an ambassador or following the conversation on LinkedIn.
