Element of Play ®

Since 2011, our EOP-based ECD program has been transforming the lives of underserved children aged 0 to 8 in Vietnam by offering play-based early learning and responsive care. This initiative enables children to develop across all five life domains, preparing them for school and integration at their own pace, in their own condition and life setting.

Our program, dedicated to the well-being of children in adversely affected communities, has been receiving strong support from federal funding (PEPFAR), corporates, and individuals to jointly achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 4.2 so that “by 2030, all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.”

In this program, we focus on supporting children from hard-to-reach areas, vulnerable communities, and children’s shelters. These children face multiple risk factors in their lives, such as poverty, chronic illnesses, developmental challenges, and lack of access to social welfare and safe learning environments. Providing them with responsive care and quality learning is crucial for school readiness and integration into society.

We achieve our goals through collaboration with local partners like the Child-protection office, Education department, Preschools, Health department, Children’s Hospitals, Centers for Diseases Control, Orphanages, and Shelters. Moreover, community stakeholders and children’s referral networks are crucial in responding promptly to the needs of this population. They are best positioned to identify gaps and risks as well as opportunities for children within their own communities. For sustainability, all stakeholders are dedicated to transitioning our program through a comprehensive capacity-building initiative during project implementation.

Children in our ECD program are thriving! 🚀 Through integrated play-based learning spaces and activities, we prepare them for school and enhance their social-emotional skills for a smooth transition. Our approach includes:

🌈 WWO EOP® curriculum & Vietnam Early Childhood Education framework in pre-school settings for children to learn through play, with reference to LEGO play manuals.

🤸‍♂️ Play-based activities for community children to interact in large groups, fostering social-emotional growth and building school readiness ideas.

🩺 Health screenings to tailor trauma-informed interventions with local service providers.

Excitingly, our internal research revealed that children in our ECCD program are 2.6 times more likely to perform better in primary school compared to non-participants.