Artist Statement

We celebrate the hard work and efforts of those that have been involved in the Samoa Storytime. Malo lava ia outou uma mo le tou galulue punoua’i aua le lumanai manuia mo alo o Samoa.  

Albert Einstein is quoted for saying “If you want your children to be smart, tell them stories. If you want them to be really smart, tell them more stories and if you want your children to be brilliant, tell them even more stories.” 

Albert Einstein also said that “Playing is the highest form of research.” Fred Rogers of the popular children’s TV program that we grew up watching on TV, Mr Rogers explained it better when he said “Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning, BUT for children, Play IS serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” 

Samoa Storytime is a cultural turning point in the continued effort to celebrate, enhance and preserve culture, language and knowledge, through children’s media based on two Samoan stories which were recommended by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture Early Childhood Education experts: le Fono a I’a ma Manulele and Laupanini ma Laupanana. 

A highlight of Samoa Storytime has been the active engagement of parents and caregivers to support their children’s learning, development and wellbeing. We acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture and the National Council of Early Childhood Education in allowing the project to involve parents and guardians in Playhub sessions. By allowing active parent participation, Playhubs have helped prepare children for school by working with parents to build enthusiasm for children’s learning. The Playhubs have provided a space to value and harness Samoan stories and oral histories.

Local media creators are keen to continue to tell stories in different creative, dramatic and visually engaging ways using media platforms that are locally led and will bridge the gap in the Pacific children’s media market for culturally relevant, quality children’s content that can enable equitable and inclusive early learning for children. 

We look to our educators, parents and our children to continue on this journey of learning through storytelling and playing with us. 

Soifua ma Ia manuia uma outou I le alofa ma le agalelei o le Alii. Faafetai.  

– Samoa Gem

Play Hubs

Story content was linked to community Play Hubs to support children’s play and learning.

Local Play Hub teams created culturally-responsive learning-through-play programs and Early Childhood Development resources.

Explore the following resources:

Parenting Cards

Play Hub Facilitator Guide

Instructional guidance for Play Hub trainers and facilitators on sessions such as toy-making, games, craft, storytelling, and concepts of play and child development.