By Magano Frietya
In the early years of life, a child’s world is shaped by play, imagination and the thrill of discovery. It is in these formative moments, like finger painting on a floor mat, stacking colourful blocks or flipping through picture books, that learning begins. But what happens when that world is absent? When the mat becomes a patch of dirt, and there are no blocks, no books and no safe place to feel seen or secure?
For many young children in Namibia’s informal settlements, this is not a hypothetical situation; it is their daily reality. Many early childhood development (ECD) centres, especially in underserved areas, lack even the most basic infrastructure. Classrooms are often makeshift structures with walls made of corrugated iron, bare cement floors, no windows and no chairs. Children sit cross-legged in overcrowded spaces, learning with little more than their teacher’s voice and their imagination. Essential materials that transform play into learning, such as crayons, puzzles, dolls and storybooks, are painfully absent. Even outdoor play is limited, as many centres lack playgrounds where children can run, explore and simply be kids.
And yet, research is clear: the environment in which a child learns is just as important as what they learn. The surroundings shape the child. A safe, stimulating space does not just support learning, it unlocks it.
During the first five years of life, a child’s brain develops faster than at any other stage. Every sound, texture, colour and interaction contributes to the way their brain wires itself. A child who feels safe and supported is more open to exploring the world around them. Their brain can focus on learning, making connections and building trust. However, when a child is in a chaotic, cold or unsafe environment, their brain shifts into survival mode, which shuts down curiosity and delays important developmental milestones.
This is also why the presence of age-appropriate toys and learning materials, from building blocks and puzzles to crayons and storybooks, is so important. These are not luxuries; they are tools that help children make sense of their world. Through play, they learn how to solve problems, express themselves, develop coordination and build social skills. In a well-equipped ECD centre, a toy becomes a conversation starter, a confidence booster and sometimes even a child’s first teacher.
Recognising the importance of safe and stimulating environments in a child’s early years, Development Workshop Namibia (DWN) is working to improve the conditions of ECD centres across various communities. This ongoing effort, made possible through the valuable support of stakeholders – including partners like the Capricorn Foundation, the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, as well as parents – focuses on upgrading physical infrastructure, providing essential learning materials and equipping educarers with the tools and training they need to create nurturing spaces where young children can feel safe, play freely and begin to learn with confidence.
“It starts with the essentials: sturdy walls, a roof that does not leak, and a classroom that is warm during winter and cool in summer.”
It starts with the essentials: sturdy walls, a roof that does not leak, and a classroom that is warm during winter and cool in summer. These improvements go beyond mere comfort – they are about dignity. They create an environment where children do not have to worry about wind from cracked windows, rain droplets during the rainy season or cold air seeping through cement floors. Such conditions enable children to concentrate, feel safe enough to explore, and engage in the gradual and wonderful process of growth.
But we know it is not just about materials; it is the people in the room who bring learning to life. That is why, as part of our ongoing support to ECD centres, we have provided training to educarers across various regions, including those from 23 centres in the Omaheke Region. These hands-on, play-based sessions have helped build confidence in using everyday tools to support literacy, numeracy and emotional development. Educators have learnt how to create structure through consistent classroom routines and how to foster environments where young children feel secure, valued and supported.
“This training is such an eye-opener! I will continue to practice what I have learnt in this training. Thank you, Development Workshop, for sharing your skills and knowledge with us.” (Esmeralda, a teacher at Sunshine Kindergarten in Witvlei).
The journey to improve early childhood development in Namibia is ongoing. But with every safe classroom, every shelf of toys and every opportunity for play, we move closer to a future where every child gets the right start in life.
Much of early learning is not just about what is taught; it is about what the environment makes possible. Does the learning space spark curiosity? Offer calm? Or help a child to feel seen, safe and like they belong?
That is the heart of a strong ECD foundation. It is not just a room, but a space that nurtures, that says to every child: you matter here, and here, you can grow.
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