3 Once the participants have come up with a list of ideas, you could ask volunteers to role-play
the effects on children growing up in different environments.
For example, one volunteer can role-play a child living with loving and caring parents; while another
role-plays a child living with parents who scream and insult each other. Different scenarios may be
acted out, based on the list of factors that the participants have come up with. The important
thing to emphasise to participants about these role-plays is the effect that situations have on a child.4 To end the activity, ask whether the participants believe that the environmental factors in which
a child grows up will have long-lasting consequences for the child’s well-being. In the discussion,
highlight the fact that what happens to a child early in life is very important, and will have lasting
consequences not only for that child’s development, but also on his or her future adulthood.It is important that vulnerable children who are adversely affected by their experiences are
supported in the community or environment they live in, so that they get the chance to reach
their full potential as healthy, well-balanced adults.(^168) Unit 2, Module 2 Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children