Creatively Empowering Children to Flourish
Discover the therapeutic power of art-making for children with learning differences
Join the Create2Grow training & become an accredited facilitator
Background
The Back Story
Created by South African Occupational Therapists Ms. Naomi Beth (‘Noni’) Conolly, Mrs. Munira Hoosain and Prof. Nicola Ann Plastow, Create2Grow was designed to address the lack of feasible and effective services for children with learning differences in low-resource areas, where approximately only one in 10 children has access to quality intervention according to the South African Child Gauge (UCT, 2022).
Create2Grow harnesses the power of art-making and group therapy as therapeutic tools with small groups of 8 to 12-year-old children with mild to moderate learning differences in school settings. When piloted in 2023, the program proved to be very effective in improving participants’ ability to engage in their school, home and social activities. Caregivers also rated the intervention as acceptable and in-demand, highlighting the appropriateness of Create2Grow for rural low-resource settings.
Create2Grow brings evidence-based therapeutic principles into schools or local community centers, helping more children to thrive!
HELLO!
I am ‘Noni’, a sensory-sensitive occupational therapist, trainer, researcher and developmental equity advocate!
The Dream
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Yet, on my journey in this field, I have seen all too many children be deprived of these opportunities, stunting their growth and potential for life.
My research as a paediatric occupational therapist, together with my lived experience as a person with a ‘differently-wired brain’, can testify to the following:
Through shared art-making, children find refuge and discover the power to reframe challenges into strengths.
Research increasingly shows that arts-based group therapy effectively supports children with mild neurodivergence. Create2Grow was born both as a tribute to my mentors and as an accessible way for more children to realise their full developmental potential.
To make a lasting impact, we need to offer more creative and developmentally-appropriate interventions! Join the training today and become a change agent in low-resource settings.
Testimonials
Create2Grow…
“is accessible to community leaders and workers”
“promotes social cohesion”
“uses materials that are easily accessible and versatile!”
“is easily adaptable and cost-effective”
“can be used to achieve different goals and objectives”
- OTASA Congress 2024 (Stakeholder Engagement)
“Create2Grow is empowering. To our children who cannot grow academically,
Create2Grow gives them a sense of hope each time they master a piece of art.”
- Create2Grow Community Facilitator (Niesha Februarie)
“I finished Create2Grow and really enjoyed it. I am super impressed - this is such a relevant and accessible intervention programme.”
- Occupational Therapist (Renita Qoza)
“Creative ability is one’s preparedness to function freely and with originality at one’s maximum level of competence.”
— Vona du Toit (1991)
Training
How it works
4 simple steps:
Sign up for the online Create2Grow training.
Receive a link to the training and the Create2Grow manual after payment.
Complete the training and multiple-choice questions.
Receive 2 CPD points and a training certificate.
R350 for 2 hours of online training and clinical CEUS (for HPCSA-registered professionals).