Bonding Through Play!
Sesame Workshop South Africa launched its Bond Through Play Campaign, which aims to inspire fathers to bond with their children through play. Backed by rigorous research, the campaign encourages fathers to embrace play, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, and adopt positive parenting practices.
The research found that men felt play came more naturally to women and was outside of the general male caregiver responsibility. Through the campaign, Sesame Workshop South Africa promoted and disseminated content designed to normalize male caregivers’ (father’s) engagement in safe and gender equitable play with their young children and to promote overall gender equity among children and caregivers. With the campaign completed, you can now watch all 8 videos below.
This campaign is nominated for a Webby Award in the category, Video & Film: Kids & Family. Cast your vote below:
Dads, dive in and bond with your children.
It’s game on for Zikwe and the Triplets as they join Nicholas Goliath and his family for a game of Diski. The lively Zikwe and cool dad Nicholas end up enjoying the game just as much as their children. Zikwe notices that as the game continues, he gets more and more confident playing with the children.
Zikwe uncovers the secret to making chores fun!
There are many fun ways to get your children to enjoy doing chores and Zikwe is about to find out how Thabiso Mhlongo does it. Zikwe learns that the key to making chores fun and enjoyable for the children is to turn any moment into a moment to play.
Do you make chores fun for your children?
Zikwe is inspired by Chris’s playful clean-up routine!
To the amusement of Zikwe and the Triplets, Chris Forrest walks into the coffee shop dressed in a bunny suit. But there’s more to the story. Zikwe learns that Chriss’s choice of outfit holds a valuable lesson, giving him much to reflect on: positive parenting helps him care for himself and the children.
Simple dance moves for Zikwe and the Triplets!
As Zikwe shows off his dance moves, he discovers how play can be a means to also provide for the Triplets. The children love it! The parents enjoy it! How good are your dance moves? Don’t miss out on the action, you could pick up a dance move or two to impress your children.
Zikwe picks up a parenting tip from Thabiso Mhlongo!
Zikwe learns from the ever-resourceful Thabiso Mhlongo how he connects and keeps the fun going with his son when he’s travelling. He even helps with homework! Zikwe is delighted to pick up another useful parenting tip: any moment can be a moment to play.
Zikwe discovers that healthy ears make happy hearts
Zikwe loves the way Nicholas Goliath actively listens to his son Matthew when he says he is too tired to do his homework, Nicholas comes up with a win-win solution. Zikwe can see how positive parenting is healthy for both parent and child. He knows practicing positive parenting can help him to care for himself and the Triplets too.
How have you applied positive parenting with your children?
Discover why dads shine when they bond with their children through play
Zikwe learns that playing with your children keeps your inner child alive and thriving!
Rivaj Ramjugernath and his two wonderful children show Zikwe and the Triplets some of their favourite games to play. By the end, Zikwe realizes that everyone in the family wins when they play together. Zikwe can see why Rivaj Ramjugernath loves playing with his children. It makes him happy and confident. Zikwe is feeling it too!
Zikwe and Thabiso dive into storytelling for the children
Zikwe witnesses his friend, Thabiso Mhlongo weave fun stories. Imaginations run wild as the whole family bonds through laughter. It is clear, storytelling runs in Thabiso Mhlongo’s blood – he beams with confidence as he tells stories. Zikwe takes another great parenting tip home: I feel confident when I play with my children.