Why it is Important to have Fun with your Five-Year-Old?

Nicole Walker (Teacher at Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Heritage Hill) • May 31, 2019

In today’s world, parenting is no easy task. As a parent, the responsibility of balance is highly over-stressed, and the proverbial checklist is always hanging over your head. In the chaos of packing healthy snacks, rushing off to various activities, scheduling playdates, limiting screen time, preparing nutritious meals and persevering through homework – all while trying to bring your A-game to the workplace and being the person your spouse married – we forget the golden rule: all children want is some quality time.

Then calculating the time a child spends at school, extra mural activities and social engagements (the times that do not include parental involvement), what little time is left becomes alarmingly important. Most families will spend quality time with one another over the course of a weekend, which equates to 104 days a year. Over the course of 18 years, the average family will spend 1872 weekend days together. Not a lot considering that if your child is of school going age, that you have already used up 520 of these days.

How much of your family’s time is spent over scheduling, overworking and overloading? Sometimes it is important to put all the necessities on the back-burner and just have some good old fun. When thinking back on your own childhood, the most nostalgic and happy memories are the ones centered around time spent with family and friends, not your mom keeping your house spotless or your dad working late. Ultimately, it was when you were having fun.

So, what is fun and how do we get it? According to the dictionary, fun is “enjoyment, amusement, or light-hearted pleasure.” If you take the time to quietly observe your child, ask yourself these questions: “What does my child enjoy?” “What does my child find amusing?” “What gives my child pleasure?” Write your observations down and try incorporate them into your quality time moments.

Why is it important to have fun? Well, firstly having fun is a great stress-reliever. It is quite hard to believe, but children in today’s world have a considerable amount of stress. By engaging in fun, play-based activities, children are able to lower cortisol levels and produce more serotonin, which results in happier, calmer and more relaxed little people.

Engaging in fun activities, with someone we genuinely care about improves resilience. How many children around the age of five absolutely love board games? There are always fond memories of when a parent taught their child how to play a particular game. Playing boardgames also equips children with important social skills such as taking turns and learning how to win and lose.

Having fun is an energy injection. When children are enjoying themselves and spending time with others, doing the things they enjoy, they feel more awake and capable. It also helps to improve concentration and memory, hence why children in preschool have various play times.

Forming meaningful connections with others is one of the most significant benefits of having fun. Taking time to enjoy activities and conversations with friends gives us a sense of connection, usefulness, and meaning that can be more powerful than any prescription. Brene Brown, a sociologist who specialises in human connection, says, “As psychologists from Maslow to Baumeister have repeatedly stressed, the truth of the matter is that a sense of social connection is one of our fundamental human needs.”

Lastly, having fun helps create positive patterns. Taking the time to engage in fun activities is a great way to combat stress, strengthen connections, work through emotional issues and create learning opportunities for both parent and child.

Here are some tips and pointers to add some more fun to your quality time moments with your child:

Play together – make believe, hide and seek, card games, board games
Laugh together – whoopee cushions and silly pranks, knock-knock jokes
Get outside – go on a nature walk, ride your bicycles, go to the beach, have a water balloon fight, garden together
Have an adventure – have a camp out in the garden, go fishing, have a picnic, go on a scavenger hunt
Read together – read a classic chapter book, listen to audio books in the car, have a family quiet reading time during the day
Cook together – teach them the basics, cook something from a kids recipe book, make s’mores, teach them to flip a pancake, decorate cupcakes
Make and create – draw, paint, build something out of Lego, make a fairy garden, build a fort
Learn more about each other – use conversation starter cards, go on a mommy/daddy and me date, let your child take photographs, tell each other stories

The possibilities are endless. Now go have some fun!

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The Joy of Numbers: Growing a Lifelong Love for Mathematics in South African Classrooms

By Camilla Pretorius • March 14, 2026

Each year on 14 March, schools across the globe celebrate Pi Day, a playful tribute to the mathematical constant π (3.14). Numbers may seem abstract at first glance, yet behind every formula lies a story of discovery, logic and imagination. Mathematical thinking shapes the way young people analyse the world, solve problems and innovate in fields ranging from medicine to technology. Passion for mathematics rarely appears overnight. Curiosity often provides the starting point. According to Camilla Pretorius, Principal of Trinityhouse Centurion , mathematical confidence develops when students realise that the subject is not about memorising formulas but about exploring patterns and ideas. “Mathematics is fundamentally about curiosity,” Pretorius explains. “Students begin to thrive when they understand that problem-solving is a journey rather than a test of instant ability.” Early childhood plays a critical role in shaping attitudes towards numbers. Young students naturally explore patterns, shapes and quantities through play long before formal lessons begin. Counting steps on a staircase, sorting colourful objects or building towers all introduce foundational mathematical concepts. Teachers who encourage exploration help students associate mathematics with discovery rather than anxiety. Games, puzzles and open-ended questions transform classrooms into spaces where curiosity flourishes. Confidence grows when mistakes become part of learning. “Students sometimes arrive believing they are ‘not maths people’,” Pretorius says. “Changing that mindset requires patience and encouragement. Progress becomes visible once students understand that effort and persistence build mathematical ability.” Academic performance improves when students believe they can succeed. Mathematical confidence determines whether a student will attempt a challenging problem or avoid it entirely. Supportive classroom environments allow students to ask questions, test ideas and learn through trial and error. Teachers play a central role in shaping that environment. Encouraging discussion, celebrating creative thinking and analysing mistakes openly helps students develop resilience.

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International Mother Language Day: Raising Globally Confident Students Proud of their Roots

February 21, 2026

Celebrating multilingual education at Trinityhouse, where identity, inclusion and global readiness grow together. Experts: Samantha Nkosi, Raesetja Ntuli and Maché Piek (Trinityhouse Centurion Teachers) International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, offers schools across South Africa an opportunity to reflect on language inclusion, cultural diversity and identity. At Trinityhouse Schools, language education is not only about academic achievement. It is about building culturally confident, globally aware students who are proud of their roots. In the early years, language shape’s identity. When young children hear Sepedi, isiZulu, Afrikaans or their home language spoken in the classroom, they feel recognised and valued. Introducing home languages in Pre-Primary affirms cultural heritage at a critical stage of development. Children who encounter familiar words, songs and greetings settle more quickly into school life. Multilingual exposure through music, storytelling, indigenous games and augmented reality books strengthens vocabulary and builds early literacy foundations. Students explore the meaning of their names and surnames, deepening pride in their identity. When a child’s mother tongue is acknowledged, confidence grows. Participation increases. Classrooms become spaces where diversity is celebrated naturally. Early language inclusion supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens school readiness, creating confident students from the very beginning. As students’ progress through Preparatory School, continued development of home language skills alongside English strengthens academic performance. Research and classroom experience consistently show that students who maintain strong home language proficiency demonstrate improved comprehension, stronger reading skills and greater conceptual understanding. Teaching strategies such as repetition, guided group reading and small discussion circles allow multilingual students to participate without pressure. Students often explain concepts in Sepedi before bridging into English, reinforcing understanding and building academic confidence. Parents play a pivotal role in this journey. Daily reading in both English and home languages, storytelling and regular conversation strengthen vocabulary and cognitive development. A strong foundation in a home language enhances English acquisition rather than hindering it. Multilingual students develop cognitive flexibility, empathy and adaptability, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Aligned with South Africa’s 11 official languages and a strong commitment to diversity in education, Trinityhouse continues to broaden its African language offerings. At Trinityhouse Centurion, Sepedi was introduced at Pre-Primary and Preparatory in 2019 and will be extended to Grade 8 in 2027. Offering Sepedi as a First Additional Language affirms students’ linguistic heritage within an academic setting. When students see their home language valued at high school level, it strengthens identity, belonging and pride. At the same time, multilingual students develop cultural awareness and global readiness. The Sepedi department will prepare students for the IEB National Senior Certificate examinations in their matric year. A structured academic pathway, rigorous assessment standards and active collaboration within the IEB Sepedi cluster across Pretoria and Gauteng will ensure consistency and academic excellence. Close cooperation between the Preparatory and High School departments will further support a smooth and well-coordinated implementation in 2027. Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation. Language inclusion directly influences student confidence, wellbeing and belonging. Being able to connect socially through a shared language reduces isolation and fosters community. Through Respect, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, Public Speaking, assembly celebrations and events such as Heritage Day Fire Feast, Trinityhouse creates spaces where students celebrate linguistic pride through praise poetry, storytelling and song. These moments strengthen engagement, participation and cultural appreciation. International Mother Language Day reminds us that language is more than communication. It is memory, belonging and identity. At Trinityhouse, raising globally competitive students who are proud of their heritage means ensuring that cultural identity and academic excellence walk hand in hand.