< Back Play Box Postings (Extract from LEGO Foundation Play Box Study: A Retrospective Assessment of Practices [South Africa Case Study Brief] Jessica Winter 02 Jun 2022 The brief report presents the distribution of Play Box across community-based early childhood development sites in under-resourced areas. The report also thematically highlights the cascading model used for Play Box Training in South Africa, as well as the long-standing partnerships between Care for Education and other non-profit organisations. Previous Next

Kelly Hutcheson: The Global Play Rebellion Rooted in Six Bricks At Care for Education, we’ve always believed in the profound power of play. Few embody this belief with more fierce dedication and transformative insight than Kelly Hutcheson. Her journey with us, particularly alongside her father, Brent Hutcheson, in the development and global dissemination of the Six Bricks methodology, was the forging of a revolutionary new approach in education and parenting. Today, Kelly Hutcheson continues to champion a radical rethinking of childhood, education, and parenting, and her foundations were solidified here, amidst the colorful potential of six simple bricks. From "Problem Child" to Play-Driven Pioneer Kelly’s mission is deeply personal. Growing up navigating the challenges of dyslexia within traditional education systems, she was often labeled the "problem child." It was a label that could have defined her, confined her. But in her home, a different story was being written… one where play-based learning became the key that unlocked a world of understanding and unique capability. Her perceived "disruptions" were recognized as creative breakthroughs, her "struggles" as the forging of unique problem-solving pathways. This personal transformation became a shared vision. Witnessing the profound impact of this approach, her father, Brent Hutcheson, a foundational innovator at Care for Education, developed Six Bricks . What began as an intuitive response to one child’s needs blossomed, with the support of entities like the LEGO Foundation, into a global movement. Kelly was at the heart of this, translating personal experience into actionable, international training, playing a pivotal role in bringing Six Bricks to educators and children in diverse countries like Ireland, China, Germany, Egypt, the US, and Ukraine. Challenging the Death of Genius Kelly Hutcheson’s work with Six Bricks and Care for Education laid the groundwork for a broader, more urgent calling: to challenge the very foundations of systems that, in her words, often contribute to The Death of Genius . She argues that our current educational and parenting paradigms, obsessed with conformity and control, are systematically stifling the innate brilliance within every child . She believes children don’t need more instruction, just more freedom. Less top-down control, more intrinsic curiosity. Less relentless scheduling, more space for the kind of productive struggle that builds true confidence. For Kelly Hutcheson, The Secret to Smarter Kids isn't found in accelerated academics or a pile of educational toys, but in nurturing their natural ability to learn through play, to question fearlessly, and to trust their own minds. Her philosophy is a direct challenge: "You say you want independence but you interrupt every attempt at it. You say you value empathy but model emotional reactivity and call it “protection.”... We are raising children to be obedient machines in a system that is emotionally bankrupt and then we wonder why they don’t know how to care. Empathy is dying. Because our children have never seen it lived." This is about questioning the deep-seated fears and societal pressures that lead to over-parenting and restrictive educational environments. From Denmark's Innovation to Diverse Curricula Kelly Hutcheson’s commitment to this vision is backed by extensive, hands-on international experience. Her journey has taken her from facilitating Six Bricks training globally with Care for Education to: Greengates International School, Mexico Nova Pioneer, South Africa Sandton Junior Colleges, South Africa International School of Billund (ISB), Denmark This diverse exposure, coupled with degrees in Early Childhood Development and Learning Support from the University of Pretoria, and research on international reading programs at Harvard University (focusing on the Tools of the Mind Curriculum), has given her a unique understanding of how children learn best across various cultural and systemic contexts. Her expertise also extends to Special Needs education, ensuring her approach is inclusive and adaptable. She has also served as a World LEGO Robotics Competition Judge, underscoring her connection to playful innovation. The Play Alchemist & Free the Child The fire ignited during her time with Care for Education and the global Six Bricks movement now burns brighter with The Play Alchemist . Through this platform, Kelly offers parents and educators a new paradigm, tools, and the fierce conviction needed to transform homes and classrooms into laboratories of creativity, critical thinking, and authentic self-discovery. This philosophy, this urgent call to action, has culminated in her provocative book, Free the Child . It’s a direct, often uncomfortable, but ultimately liberating guide for parents ready to dismantle fear-based habits, step back from over-intervention, and cultivate true resilience and independence in their children. Free the Child is a manifesto for a new generation of parenting. Kelly Hutcheson is a catalyst for change, deeply connected to the Care for Education family and the legacy of Six Bricks, now taking those foundational principles to challenge and inspire a global audience. Her message is clear: if you're ready to question everything, to embrace discomfort for the sake of profound growth, and to truly free your child, Kelly Hutcheson is leading the charge.

Book For SIx Bricks Book For DUPLO Play and learn

CAPS-Aligned Activities Note: Our CAPS-Aligned Weekly Activities are created for South African Foundation Phase teachers . Try these fun weekly activities suited for Grade R to Grade 3. • Aligned with CAPS & DBE Workbooks (blue books) • Term & week specific Term 1-4 Each activity is tailored to specific terms and weeks, making lesson planning easier for teachers while keeping young learners excited and engaged.

Find Me Fast Play Mats Discover FindMeFast Play Mats — a comprehensive learning-through-play resource designed to support cognitive development. The set includes 38 double-sided mats and 15 card packs , offering a wide range of activities that build literacy, numeracy, perceptual skills, memory, and more through engaging, hands-on play. This resource is available for purchase within South Africa only, as international shipping costs are currently too high for overseas customers. EMAIL Price: R1,800 (excludes delivery) For more information Weight= 4kg Width= 44cm Length= 36cm Height= 5cm For those who already have the FindMeFast Mats , explore the sorted mats below for guidance on how to begin and facilitate the different games. Summary Sheet FMF Summary Sheet Mixed Mats Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Colour Mats Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Colour Position Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Find 2 Fast Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Find 3 Fast Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Find 4 Fast Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Colour Stroop Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Recall 3 Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Letters Activities Instructions Cards - Red & Blue Pamphlets Sounds Activities Instructions Cards - Red1 - Red2 - Red2 Cards - Blue1 - Blue2 - Blue3 Pamphlets Words Activities Instructions Cards - Red1 - Blue1 - Red2 - Blue 2 Cards Pic - Red & Blue Pamphlets

Want to get in touch? We would love to hear from you. Contact Us Meet the Team FAQs Privacy Policy Get in touch You can reach us through the below details... Our Address Unit 12, Meadowbrook Business Estate Jacaranda Avenue, Olivedale, 2158 Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa Talk to us Contact Number - 011 462 2581 Email - cfe@carefored.co.za Follow us below Click location pin Six Bricks Online Course Help Centre Find out how we can help you below Incorrect details on your certificate? Send us an email with your user account information: Username Email Address Province District Email Can't login to the FPI online course? Send us an email with your user account information: Username Email Address Province District Email To register your user account, click the following: link To reset your password, click the following: link Please note: After you complete a unit on the online course, don’t forget to mark it off as “complete” - this is mandatory There will be a button on the bottom of each and every page to do this. Remember that if you don’t do this it will be difficult for you to download your certificate. There are quizzes throughout the online course that have to be completed as you move through the course. Once you reach the last section of the course, you will have to complete the final quiz. Once you pass the Final Quiz with 80% or more, your certificate will become available for you to download. This video shows you how to register for FPI Online Course If you can't find what you are looking for, email us at cfe@carefored.co.za or call us on 011 462 2581 . Meet the Care for Education Team

< Back LEGO Foundation Play Box Study: A Retrospective Assessment of Practices (South Africa Case Study Brief) 25 Jul 2022 The case study outlines the Play Box history, context, and model using interviews, discussions, and observations. The study presents Play Box contexts, partnership networks, perceptions of Play Box, training, and the impact of Play Box on teaching and learning. The findings are presented as a narrative describing different Play Box sites and models in South Africa. Read the full report by Gareth Rossiter submitted by Itad. Itad Play Box Case Study - July .pdf Download PDF • 3.11MB Previous Next

Six bricks Golf shirt R400.00 Six bricks t-shirt R220.00 Six bricks socks R75.00 sondela t-shirt top secret: shirt design will be released at the sondela R400.00 sets of six bricks R60.00 get the Tools for your toolbox find me fast sets R1500.00 the latest from care for education in six bricks learning Pre-order your six bricks Sondela conference merchandise now using the link below: ORDER HERE Pre orders are open until Monday 9 february Care for Education will not arrange to have your merchandise couriered outside of south Africa. once you have completed the pre-order form and your order has been captured you will recieve an invoice.

Use our Six Bricks Books filled with content around play-based learning. Six Bricks Books Books Index Groups & Games Perceptual Skills Literacy Skills Physical Skills Numeracy Skills Social - Emotional

< Back Supporting Learning through Play with Six Bricks in Gauteng Jessica Winter 07 Dec 2023 This report will explore the experiences of teachers during these classroom observations, report on teacher reflections, and make suggestions to address challenges and bolster the support and integration of LtP using Six Bricks. Each district and its unique circumstances will be considered in its own section. This report describes observations from a series of school and classroom visits and reflects on discussions with teachers in these schools in Gauteng from July to September 2023. Supporting Learning through Play using Six Bricks in Gauteng .pdf Download PDF • 2.65MB Previous Next

Explore some of the visual research conducted around Six Bricks & Play Box, inside and outside of South Africa. Six Bricks - Foundation Phase Initiative Play Box - Practioners' Tales Browse the Care for Education video library showing some excellent Learning through Play practice and meet some inspiring Play Box practitioners across different ECD centres around South Africa. All Videos Care For Education Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Little Folks Nursery School 01:37 Play Video Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Ep.1 Siyamthemba 03:32 Play Video Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Ep. 2 Mamshoba ECD Centre 02:20 Play Video Now Playing Practitioners' Tales Ep 3 Bambinos Early Learning 01:03 Play Video Listen to teachers in South African primary schools sharing their experience using Six Bricks as a playful tool in their lessons. Foundation Phase Initiative Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Now Playing Foundation Phase Initiative - Free State & Eastern Cape (School Visit) 02:45 Play Video Now Playing Foundation Phase Initiative - Gauteng (School Visit) 04:05 Play Video Now Playing Foundation Phase Initiative - Teacher Training 04:07 Play Video