What is Create2Grow?
Our Approach
Create2Grow is an eight-week prevocational skills development program designed to enhance the creative abilities of children aged 8–12 with mild learning or developmental challenges, particularly those attending schools in low-resource communities. Whilst initially created for children, the program has since been successfully adapted by therapists and community workers for other purposes!
The 2023 pilot study in De Doorns (Western Cape) showed exceptional results: children became more creative and engaged during sessions and demonstrated meaningful improvements in everyday activities that mattered to them and their caregivers. Parents and caregivers described the program as practical and valuable, confirming that Create2Grow is a strong fit for similar school settings.
Create2Grow is designed to be both effective and simple to implement. It nurtures key developmental skills, including visual perception, fine motor abilities, social interaction, executive functioning, and emotional intelligence, while empowering children to take an active role in their own growth and success.
The program provides participants with the opportunity to experience belonging, autonomy and competence.
A place where process is valued over product.
A Low-Cost Solution
Create2Grow is a feasible therapy solution for low-resource settings as it:
Is contextually relevant
Create2Grow has been refined according to caregivers’ and community workers’ perspectives.
Saves time
The program makes use of group therapy, thereby ensuring that more children benefit from therapeutic support concurrently.
Makes use of existing systems
Create2Grow decentralises occupational therapy by empowering teachers, parents, and community members, who are socially skilled and motivated, to lead these groups as a supportive intervention. Intervention is also advised to be facilitated within community centres or schools to ensure accessibility.
Saves costs
Create2Grow reduces therapy costs by making use of easily accessible art materials.
Protects the environment
The program fosters resourcefulness and initiative amongst children by teaching them to repurpose recycled materials.
Activities that build resilience and hope through just-right challenges.
