At Project Sunwave, we believe in the transformative potential of starting early. While many youth programs target teenagers, we’ve made a conscious choice to also focus on children under the age of 10. These are the years when curiosity runs wild, confidence is still malleable, and foundational life skills are taking shape. It's a choice backed not only by community need but also by compelling research in the field of Positive Youth Development (PYD).

Positive Youth Development is a strengths-based approach that promotes the belief that all young people have the potential for healthy, constructive growth when supported by the right environments. According to Lerner et al. (2005), PYD emphasizes the “Five Cs”: competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring. These developmental assets don’t emerge spontaneously- they are cultivated, especially during early childhood.

Scientific literature tells us that early intervention has outsized impacts. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University reports that more than one million new neural connections form every second in the first few years of life. These early experiences, especially those that are safe, nurturing, and enriching, shape brain architecture in ways that influence lifelong health, learning, and behavior. Starting PYD practices before the age of 10 capitalizes on this developmental window.

Our youngest participants at Project Sunwave may be small in size, but they’re big on enthusiasm. Through our “Vonk” program, nature-based exploration, and playful psycho-education sessions, we’re not just teaching skills… we’re laying down protective factors. For instance, structured water activities have improved self-regulation, focus, and social cooperation in early childhood (Tandon et al., 2020). When paired with mentorship and positive adult role models, these activities become even more impactful.

One of the key features of PYD at an early age is scaffolded learning: where children are gently guided just beyond their comfort zone. At Project Sunwave, this might look like a hesitant six-year-old learning to float for the first time, or an eight-year-old bravely sharing how the ocean makes them feel during a feelings circle. These moments build confidence and resilience, which are critical buffers against future adversity.

The benefits of PYD at a young age also ripple into academic and emotional wellbeing. Studies (Jones et al., 2015) show that social-emotional learning (SEL) in primary-aged children correlates with improved classroom behavior, reduced emotional distress, and stronger academic performance. In Lambert’s Bay, where educational resources are limited, our programs complement school learning by supporting emotional literacy and helping children feel seen and supported.

Investing in children under 10 is not just a feel-good strategy. It’s a smart, evidence-based commitment to long-term community upliftment. These early years are our chance to nurture not only swimmers, surfers, and nature-lovers, but also confident, kind, and capable young people.

As always, we’re grateful to our partners, coaches, and supporters who help us shape the waves of change, starting with the smallest of hands.

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