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A media-based approach to build preschoolers’ playful problem-solving skills in South Africa: An evaluation of Takalani Sesame

NBA researcher, Merridy Wilson-Strydom, contributed to this article focused on developing understanding of approaches to building children’s problem-solving skills through play-based media. This paper presents findings from an evaluation of a play-based child-directed mass media program produced and distributed across South Africa, Takalani Sesame. Using a single group pre-test–post-test design with 62 children 4–6 years old in Free State, the findings demonstrate that viewing Takalani Sesame was associated with domains of problem-solving, including children’s improved monitoring progress/strategy use, and positive affect towards a challenging task, but not problem-solving outcomes overall. These findings provide suggestive evidence that engaging educational media, leveraging the power of playful learning, may support improvements in components of children’s problem-solving skills.

NBA Author(s)
External Author(s)
Kim Foulds(Lead Author)
Megan Silander
Mari Payne
Type
Journal articles
Education Sector
Early childhood development (ECD)
Date of Publication
Journal cover page
Topics
Research
Region
Services
Conducting research and evaluation in the education sector