Hands-on experiences bring meaning to learning

On a recent trip to Cape Town, we experienced what happens when teachers move beyond theory and step into the learner’s experience.

Elkanah House Pre-primary and Junior Prep teachers, who had previously been introduced to the science behind Six Bricks and using manipulatives, embraced the opportunity to play with purpose, strengthening both understanding and confidence in applying play-based approaches.

Play was purposeful and rich with learning opportunities:

• Teachers moved, explored, and engaged physically, connecting body and mind as they transitioned between activities.

• Storytelling came alive as participants created and shared imaginative narratives about their “colour creatures,” blending language development with creativity.

• Mathematical thinking was woven naturally into play, with activities focused on data handling, measuring, and problem-solving.

• High-energy moments, like “Brickstreamer fun,” brought joy and laughter to the forefront, reinforcing the social dimension of learning.

  
  

Activities provided opportunities for agency, iteration and active engagement, demonstrating that meaningful teaching and learning doesn’t have to be rigid to be effective. When teachers feel the learning, they are well equipped to create rich, meaningful and playful learning experiences for the children they teach.

Intermediate Phase teachers had the opportunity to playfully engage in activities on a variety of game mats.

A highlight of the week was a tour of the innovative Parklands College campus followed by a session where teachers were invited to play, take risks and explore without a fixed end result. While tinkering teachers moved beyond the need for perfection and leaned into the process; collaborating, designing, making and testing.

A visit to the Brick Club at Milnerton Library highlighted the power of community-based play, where creativity and collaboration thrive across diverse groups of children and adults. Well done to Brick Club SA for providing children from underserved communities with the opportunity to unleash their imaginations and embrace the joy of building with LEGO.

Wrapping up the trip Herzlia teachers were given the opportunity to dive into an afternoon of fun and laughter while playfully learning with Six Bricks.

In the end, it’s not just about what is created, it’s about what is experienced, discovered and understood along the way.