Help your little one learn about identity, belonging and consent
Learning about identity, belonging and consent - and knowing which adults are “safe” - can help young children deal with life challenges more easily. Early childhood development specialist Mari Payne explains how the edutainment television show Takalani Sesame equips littles ones in a playful way. She suggests fun activities for parents, teachers and caregivers. Sponsored content.
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. 139 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, early childhood development specialist Mari Payne, involved in Takalani Sesame, discusses
the age group Takalani Sesame is aimed at
the Takalani Sesame curriculum that guides the episodes created for children
the role of the Muppets
consent: the ability to speak up, and practical ways to help children acquire this skill
an example of consent as depicted in Takalani Sesame
how parents can maintain open channels of communication with their children
the concept of a “safe adult”
what belonging means in child-friendly language
how parents, teachers and caregivers can help children experience true belonging
identity: a child’s sense of self
a Takalani Sesame example relating to identity
how adults can help children develop a healthy sense of identity
how consent, belonging and identity are linked
Mari’s 3 tips for fun activities for parents and children.
In this episode Mari mentions the Thrive by Five Index, the ECD Census, and the 2016 and 2021 PIRLS studies.
Scroll down for more information on Mari and the Takalani Sesame show.
Watch Takalani Sesame!
The Takalani Sesame episodes covering identity, belonging, and consent, can currently be accessed here:
Up to 1 December 2023 on SABC2 at 15.30, Mondays to Fridays - in English, Ndebele, Sesotho, isiZulu and Afrikaans respectively (each day in a different language)
From January to June 2024 on SABC1 at 7.00, Mondays to Fridays.
Listen to Mari’s advice on helping your little one deal with big feelings.
Here Mari writes about her personal life: a blind date, a very small town, and climbing trees.
Mari during the Calm, Clear & Helpful podcast recording
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.
Congratulations!
Takalani Sesame recently received the “Best Children’s Program: SASL and Inclusivity” Award, an acknowledgement of its efforts towards diversity and inclusivity and making the television program more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing children and families
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
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Music by Mart-Marie Snyman
Thumbnail image: Unsplash. Model used
Main photograph of Mari Payne: supplied