For Thorofaso Segune, her daughter finding her voice has meant far more than simply learning to speak. It has meant watching a once quieter child grow in confidence, express herself boldly and come home excited to share what she has learned through play.
RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Every parent remembers the little moments that show their child is growing.
For Thorofaso Segune, one of those moments is hearing her daughter come home from her Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre with a new word, a new game or a new story to tell.
But behind those everyday moments is something much bigger: her daughter is finding her voice.
When Thorofaso’s daughter first started attending the local ECD centre in Tlhabane, Rustenburg, she hoped the experience would help prepare her for school. What she did not expect was to see such a profound change in her confidence.
“They’ve built her self-esteem,” Thorofaso says proudly. “She can now stand in front of people boldly, speak and do anything.”
Her daughter attends a Do More Foundation supported ECD centre, where play, language, interaction and learning are helping lay important foundations for her development.
For Thorofaso, the difference is not something she has to imagine or measure on paper. She sees it at home.
Finding her voice through play
One of the things her daughter loves most about the ECD centre is play.
“One thing she loves most is playing,” says Thorofaso. “She explores mostly through play.”
To a child, play can simply feel like fun. But it is also a powerful way of learning. Through games, storytelling, singing and activities, children have opportunities to develop creativity, problem-solving skills, communication and confidence.
For Thorofaso, play has become part of watching her daughter come out of her shell.
“She is more open now,” she explains. “You can hear when she speaks that they teach them to speak clearly.”
It is a change that has been particularly meaningful for a mother watching her child become increasingly comfortable expressing herself.
“This is what we learnt at crèche”
The learning does not end when her daughter leaves the ECD centre.
Almost every day, she brings something home.
“Every time she comes home, she shares something new, either a new word or a new game,” Thorofaso says with a smile. “Sometimes you are surprised and you ask, ‘Where did you learn that from?’”
Her daughter’s response is often the same:
“This is what we learnt at crèche.”
For Thorofaso, these conversations have become some of the most rewarding moments of her day.
They are small reminders that learning is taking place, and that her daughter is proud of what she is discovering.
“They always want to show you what they learnt,” she says.
Growing through language
Language development has also played an important role in her daughter’s journey.
At the ECD centre, children are exposed to both English and Setswana, giving them opportunities to develop their communication across languages.
“In most cases they speak both English and Setswana,” says Thorofaso.
For a young child, learning to communicate confidently can open up a world of possibilities. It allows them to participate, ask questions, form relationships, express their feelings and make themselves heard.
For Thorofaso, hearing her daughter speak with greater confidence is one of the clearest signs of her growth.
Why the early years matter
The first five years of life are a critical period for children’s development, laying important foundations for language, emotional wellbeing, social skills and future learning.
Yet for families living in communities where poverty and unemployment can create additional challenges, access to safe, stimulating and quality early learning environments is not always guaranteed.
ECD centres can provide children with spaces where they can learn, play, build friendships and develop the confidence to explore the world around them.
The Do More Foundation works to support young children, caregivers and communities, recognising the importance of giving children strong foundations during their earliest years.
Thorofaso’s experience gives that work a deeply personal face.
Because for her, the impact of ECD is not simply about what her daughter may achieve one day when she starts school.
It is about who she is becoming today.
A child who is more open.
A child who is learning to communicate.
A child who comes home excited to share.
And, most importantly, a child who is finding her voice and learning that it deserves to be heard.
For one Rustenburg mother, those may seem like small changes to some. But they are the milestones that matter.
About Do More Foundation
Do More Foundation is a proudly South African independent non-profit organisation focused on creating better tomorrows for young children in South Africa. Guided by values of authenticity, partnerships, entrepreneurship and sustainability, the Foundation works to create meaningful, long-term impact in communities across the country.
Through its National Young Child programmes, the Foundation focuses on improving nutrition, strengthening early learning and providing support to parents and caregivers. It also facilitates deep-rooted, community-specific projects in partnership with stakeholders to drive impact in Early Childhood Development (ECD), youth enterprise development and hunger alleviation.
The Foundation’s focus on ECD is rooted in the understanding that 90% of brain development occurs before the age of five. Investing in children during these formative years can support primary school readiness and contribute to improved outcomes later in life, while helping to reduce inequality and build stronger communities.
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