What is Create2Grow?

Our Approach

Create2Grow is a fun and flexible eight-week arts-based intervention designed for children with mild learning or developmental challenges between the ages 8 and 12 years-old in under-resourced communities. In 2023, in De Doorns, Western Cape, the program showed fantastic results: children not only became more creative and engaged during groups, but they also improved in their performance of daily activities that were important to them and their caregivers.

Parents and caregivers found the program extremely valuable and practical, suggesting it’s a great fit for schools in similar communities. Our goal to make sure this program both effective and easy to implement was achieved, and the data shows us that Create2Grow has the potential to make a real difference in children’s lives. The program helps children develop a range of essential skills, including visual perception, fine motor skills, social interaction, executive functioning, and emotional intelligence, all while encouraging children to take an active role in their own growth and success.

Overall, the groups are designed to offer children a safe and creative space characterized by nurturing interactions, where participants have the opportunity to achieve.

A place where process is valued over product.

Children and adults participating in a craft activity, decorating and attempting to pop water balloons made from newspaper and paint or glue, surrounded by newspapers, trays, and supplies.

Your Low-Cost Therapy 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 regarding feasibility and value through research and community interactions.

  • Saves time: The program makes use of group therapy, thereby ensuring that more children benefit from therapeutic support without the high costs and time demands of individual sessions.

  • 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.

  • Saves costs: Create2Grow reduces therapy costs to R18.00 per child per group if the initial resources are used with three groups (24 children).

  • 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.

Smiling child wearing a cap and a "npr" t-shirt with arms spread wide, outdoors.
Person holding a clear plastic storage box with items including sponges, colorful fabric or tools, and a "Create2Grow" label.
Plastic container filled with a variety of items including an analogue clock box, crayons, a black weighted sack, a manual titled 'Create2Grow Program Intervention Manual,' disposable cups, and some recycled cardboard rolls.
Plastic box labeled 'Create2Grow' containing various items including colored chalk, games, and small accessories, with additional images detailing contents like a colour coded analogue clock to demonstrate time division.

“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do.” - Temple Grandin

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