Many parents, caregivers and young children are feeling stressed out, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. Mari Payne, involved in Takalani Sesame, explains how adults can recognise overwhelming feelings in kids and support them; what is necessary for children to thrive; and why self-care for adults is so important. She offers easy and practical tips for calming down a child – and yourself!

If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Mari and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device.

In ep. 100 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Mari clarifies

• her involvement in the television show Takalani Sesame

• how Takalani Sesame (offered in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Sesotho and Ndebele on SABC2) educates children

• whether young children can experience mental health difficulties

• parents’ and caregivers’ impact on children

• what a young child needs to thrive – and why parents needn’t have expert knowledge to nourish their child

• how you know your child is experiencing “big feelings”: physical signs like a tummy ache, behavioural issues like nightmares, things they may tell you, e.g. that they’re feeling strange, etc.

• what not to say when your child shows some of these signs

• steps you can follow when a child is overwhelmed by his or her feelings

• age-appropriate coping strategies, such as belly breathing or “shaking it out”, that children can learn when watching Takalani Sesame

• why parents or caregivers need to take good care of their own well-being

• simple things adults can do when they’re interacting with children while feeling stressed themselves

• Mari’s practical tips for parents who feel overwhelmed.

Mari explains how to help your little one understand identity, belonging and consent, and suggests fun activities for adults and children.

Here Mari writes about her personal life: a blind date, a very small town, and climbing trees.

About Mari

Mari Payne is the Director: Education and Outreach at Sesame Workshop International, South Africa. She is based in Johannesburg. Mari has more than 15 years’ experience working in child rights, child law, early childhood development and basic education. She was part of the research team to Map the Gaps between Expert, Stakeholder and Public understanding of Early Childhood Development in South Africa with the FrameWorks Institute in Washington, DC. She served on UNICEF’s internal working group for early childhood development and co-authored a number of publications on early childhood development, the importance of play-based learning for young children and the impact it has on brain development.

Takalani Sesame contact details, including resources for parents:

Official hashtags: #AllNewTakalani #TakalaniSesame

Website: https://takalanisesame.org.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/takalani.sesame.edu

Twitter: https://twitter.com/takalanisesame

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takalani.sesame/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSOzE3-7BQn7GtiftoiIRsg

Feel free to click on Home and browse this website for articles and podcasts on more fulfilling love relationships, easier parenting, and upping your emotional well-being.

The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Player FM and Iono.fm.

Music by Mart-Marie Snyman

Thumbnail image: Unsplash. Model used.

Main photograph of Mari Payne: supplied