KNYSNA NEWS - For the fourth consecutive year, the Knysna Education Trust's (KET) teddy bear drive has brought in 500 teddy bears for local preschool children.
These cuddly companions were donated by schools, organisations, and individuals who came together to support the cause.
Distributed as part of KET's Term 1 education packs, these teddy bears serve as emotional support tools, and are a part of the charity's broader effort to support early childhood development by implementing The Learning Initiative's Blocks for Growth programme.
The aim of the programme is to enable four- to five-year-olds who are behind on their developmental milestones to get back on track and ready for Grade R.
Encouraging progress
KET's occupational therapist-led team screens about 500 preschool children at the beginning of each year, with just over 250 being identified as needing additional support. These children are then included in therapy groups, where they receive targeted assistance twice a week. The results of this intervention have been encouraging.
In 2024, 68% of the children who were initially behind in their developmental progress had made improvements, successfully meeting the milestones needed for Grade R.
Learn more about the great work that KET is doing for Knysna's preschool children at www.knysnaedutrust.co.za.
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