Discovering the Power of Play: Lessons from a Kenyan Grandfather

Grandparents Jane and Laban enjoy teaching their youngest grandchild to walk.

“My grandchildren used to fear me,” said Laban, a retired truck driver. “My granddaughter would run away from me crying if I tried to hold her.”

Laban and his wife, Jane, live in a small farming town in western Kenya where they both participate in Moments That Matter® (MTM), Episcopal Relief & Development’s transformative program partnership in early childhood development (ECD) implemented with ADS-NYANZA.

To help their adult daughter, who is pursuing a degree in business at a local college, Laban and Jane provide primary care for their daughter’s infant child. Laban admits that when they started caring for their granddaughter, he left most of the nurturing care work to Jane, as he did when they were raising their own children.

“I hope more families will learn the need for both men and women caregivers to assist each other in raising children.”

– Jane

Laban and Jane are proud of all the milestones (like walking) their granddaughter is reaching and of the roles they are both playing in her care.
Laban and Jane are proud of all the milestones (like walking) their granddaughter is reaching and of the roles they are both playing in her care.

Evidence-based research shows that young children benefit from the involvement of male caregivers. Episcopal Relief & Development’s approach to early childhood development emphasizes the importance of equipping and supporting men of all ages to play an active role in providing nurturing care and also focuses on changing mindsets, stigmas and behaviors regarding gender roles and gender equality.

As part of MTM in their community, Laban and Jane attend monthly meetings to connect with, support and be supported by other caregivers while learning from a program facilitator about good health and nutrition, and strategies for encouraging physical, mental, social, language and emotional development through play.

Laban, Jane and other program participants are further supported by dedicated community ECD Promoters who regularly visit participants in their homes to check on developmental milestones and make referrals for additional services when needed.

“I learned about the importance of male involvement with childcare,” Laban shared, crediting his community ECD Promoter, Sophia, for helping him develop new ways to engage and bond with his granddaughter.

“Sophia told me to make something for my granddaughter to play with,” Laban said, so he crafted a handheld rattle. “Now, I can hold my granddaughter without her crying. We play together using the shaker.” Laban has also been teaching his granddaughter to walk, and is excited at the progress she’s making.

“I feel happy seeing my husband playing with his grandchild,” Jane shared. “This is a great difference and it has occurred very fast since the ECD Promoter started visiting us. I hope more families will learn the need for both men and women caregivers to assist each other in raising children.”