Element of Play® 

Research suggests that 10 to 20% of young children will experience developmental delays with significantly higher rates for children living in poverty. These delays, when not addressed, carry forward into poor academic achievement. In Haiti, children are at high-risk for delays, with 59% of the population living on less than US$2/day.

A USAID early grade reading assessment found that 75% of children at the end of first grade and nearly half of students finishing second grade could not read a single word.

To mitigate the effects of poverty and developmental delays, Worldwide Orphans (WWO) launched our Element of Play® Learning Spaces in Kenscoff, Haiti, following the 2010 earthquake.

Through WWO’s program, children are receiving regular developmental screenings, accessing quality early intervention programming, and entering school with the language, cognitive, and social skills needed to succeed. For many children, this is their first experience with a structured play-based program where they can interact with their peers, learn and playing together. 

Skills Development

WWO works to enhance the capacity of youth, parents and teachers involved in caring for and working with children and families. This is done through facilitating trainings, ongoing development and improvement of manuals and curriculum that can easily be used by teachers, care providers, and volunteers.

For many youth volunteers who have dropped out of school, this is their first opportunity and exposure to the workforce, and their first chance to feel positively engaged in their own community. This combination of programming for young children and youth as role models has a dynamic effect, with change and growth happening on both sides. 

For parents/caregivers and teachers, WWO provides training, support and ongoing coaching to ensure the home and school are safe spaces for children to play, learn and thrive.