Dr Caylee Cook, Research Manager at DataDrive2030, recently presented findings from the Thrive by Five Index 2024 at two Gauteng Young Child Forum colloquia hosted by the Do More Foundation and its implementation partner, the African Children’s Feeding Scheme (ACFS).
Held in Boksburg and Randfontein on 24 and 25 June, the sessions brought together more than 120 Early Childhood Development (ECD) principals and practitioners to explore what the latest evidence means for improving children’s development.
Dr Cook contextualised the study by starting with the national picture where 42% of children are developmentally On Track for early learning per the Index data. However, many children still enter school without the foundational skills they need to thrive. A practical demonstration illustrating the proportions of children who are On Track, Falling Behind and Falling Far Behind brought these statistics to life, highlighting the urgent need for continued support.
The presentation also showed that stunting remains a significant challenge in Gauteng and that children attending higher-fee Early Learning Programmes consistently achieve better developmental outcomes than those in lower-fee programmes, reinforcing the link between poverty, unequal access to quality services and child development.
The discussions then shifted from evidence to action. Practitioners worked in groups to identify practical strategies for strengthening gross and fine motor development, early literacy and numeracy, executive functioning, and the use of data to measure progress.
Across both events, participants shared ideas to improve classroom practice, strengthen parental involvement, expand access to books and learning materials, and better support boys, who often experience greater developmental challenges.
The sessions reinforced a key message: data has the greatest impact when it informs action. By combining evidence with practical reflection, the colloquia equipped practitioners to strengthen learning environments and improve outcomes for young children across Gauteng.
Participants also received a Teaching Strategies infographic to support classroom practice. Download them here: ELOM Infographics-Print-R2
