Healthcare workers in Turkana West are increasingly adopting play-based learning as a key approach to support early childhood development, particularly during the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
The initiative, led by the Turkana County Government in partnership with Amref Health Africa through the Tucheze Tustawi Project and supported by the LEGO Foundation, has seen more than 80 healthcare workers trained over the past eight months.
The capacity-building programme has brought together a wide range of frontline health actors, including members of County and Sub-County Health Management Teams, Trainers of Trainers (ToTs), Community Health Assistants (CHAs), and Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
Through a series of five sensitisation workshops, participants have been equipped with skills to integrate nurturing care and play-based learning into community health services.
The training was implemented in phases, targeting both high- to medium-volume and low-volume health facilities.
In total, 20 CHAs and 225 CHPs were trained in the first cohort, with additional participants drawn from smaller facilities in the second phase.
The sessions focused on key frameworks such as the Care for Child Development package and the globally recognised Nurturing Care Framework, which emphasises the importance of health, nutrition, protection, stimulation, and responsive caregiving in shaping a child’s future.
A recent three-day workshop involving 14 Community Health Assistants further strengthened knowledge on responsive parenting and the role of play in supporting children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development.
The training aims to empower health workers to guide caregivers in using simple, everyday play activities to stimulate early learning at home.
Speaking during the training, Daniel Esimit emphasised the importance of integrating play into health messaging.
“The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical for brain development. Nurturing care is now globally recognised as essential for optimal child development. Health, nutrition, protection, stimulation, and responsive caregiving largely determine a child’s future well-being, learning capacity, and productivity,” he said.
He added that the county is committed to strengthening community health systems to ensure this knowledge reaches households across Turkana.
Gabriel Lopodo noted that the initiative complements existing maternal and child health programmes by promoting a more holistic approach to early childhood development.
“Previously, the focus was largely on health, nutrition, safety, and security. However, responsive caregiving and early learning opportunities are equally important,” he explained. “Play-based learning enables caregivers to actively engage with their children, strengthening brain development and preparing them for future learning.”
Trainers involved in the programme have also highlighted the practicality of the approach.
Stephen Ekidor noted that caregivers are encouraged to use locally available materials such as sticks, pebbles, and household items to create simple learning tools.
Following the training, the 14 CHAs are now cascading the knowledge to 256 Community Health Promoters across village units in Turkana West.
These promoters are expected to take the lessons directly to households through community forums and home visits, ensuring that caregivers can incorporate play into their daily routines.
Healthcare workers on the ground have welcomed the initiative, noting its potential to transform parenting practices.
Caroline Emanikor said the programme will help ensure consistent messaging at the household level, while Jane Arot emphasised the importance of raising awareness about the role of simple interactions such as talking, singing, and playing in shaping a child’s development.
Others, like Amui Dominic, are now working to involve fathers more actively in childcare through community support groups, further strengthening the impact of the initiative.
The programme marks a significant milestone in advancing community-based approaches to early childhood development in Turkana.
By equipping frontline health workers with practical skills and knowledge, the county is laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient communities where children can thrive from their earliest years.