In August 2019, Phither also began watching FH’s new initiative “Ready to Play”. This pilot project was first launched with pre-primary level students and was well received by school principals and teachers. Children gather around a television in a circle to watch engaging health lessons performed by animated characters on a Spanish version of Sesame Street. They quickly captivated Phither’s attention and have clearly made a positive impression!
By 2020, Ready to Play expanded their engagement to include children up to Grade 2. In the first months of the year, the lessons were on “Body Awareness”, messages that have motivated little Pither to make some changes in his young life and show his independence.
Phither’s mother, Isabela, explains: “In this time of COVID-19 my child already practices hygiene habits, brushes his teeth three times a day and washes his hands frequently, I feel so proud of my son and something that impacts me is that he already changes his clothes by himself. I always see him very happy.”
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| Pither washes his hands frequently, something he's learned will help prevent the spread of COVID-19. |
Before participating in Ready to Play, it was difficult for Phither (like most children!) to remember his hygiene routines; he did not like to practice them, either. But when he watched the “Ready to play” lessons, everything began to change: “I like to learn with Elmo [from Sesame Street], through the music and videos. It is something that encourages me, and this has made me change my clothes by myself.
I can take care of myself. I want to grow up very healthy; my brother has already given me clothes because it already fits me and that says I am growing very fast!”
As a Leader Mother of health in her community who knows what bacteria hide in the dirt on playful children’s hands, Isabela is especially relieved by Phither’s changed attitude. The changes she’s seen in her son encourage her to continue bringing the same messages into each home she visits so more families can live healthy lives.
