How to Learn Through Play: Reflections from the Zambia Study Trip

This report documents reflections and lessons learned from a regional study visit organised under VVOB’s IT’S PLAY (Improving Teaching Skills on Playful Learning for Africa’s Youngest) project. The visit, held in Zambia in February 2022, brought together early childhood education (ECE) experts, ministry officials, teacher educators, and VVOB teams from Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, and Belgium to exchange experiences and strengthen regional collaboration on learning through play.

The report highlights insights from field visits to early childhood centres in Siavonga District and discussions on ECE curricula, policies, and professional development systems. Participants observed how Zambia’s structured CPD model and integration of play-based learning improved teaching quality and child engagement. The publication provides recommendations for ministries and partners—particularly in Uganda—on embedding play-based pedagogy in teacher training curricula, formalising ECE management structures, and promoting professionalisation and policy alignment within national education systems.