High Five show helps ease children's anxiety in Brackenfell

The High Five Show visited Curro Brackenfell Primary School on Friday, August 22, to help children deal with the stress and anxiety they face.

Run by 3RC, a non-profit organisation that educates youth through career guidance and educational events, High Five is an interactive theatre production aimed at children aged 8 to 11.

The programme uses activities, discussions, song, and dance to teach pupils about kindness, resilience, safety, bravery, and authenticity.

Since its launch in October last year, High Five has reached about 12 000 pupils across 25 Johannesburg primary schools. Each session runs for 55 minutes and is presented by trained facilitators.

The founder of 3RC and creator of High Five, Kay Cheytanov, said research points to a concerning rise in anxiety and depression among children, exacerbated by factors such as social media exposure and increasing academic and societal pressures.

She was inspired to create High Five through her own daughter’s experience of being bullied at school.

“High Five was born out of something deeply personal, a moment many parents will recognise. I watched my own daughter, still so young, begin to show signs of anxiety and depression. Not the kind of nervousness we brush off, but real worry that affected her sleep, her confidence, and her light. 

“She was being bullied and did not know how to tell me that she was not okay. It made me realise we are waiting too long to teach children how to deal with their emotions,” said Ms Kay.

Ms Natasha Erasmus, educator at Curro Brackenfell Primary School, said, "Thank you so much for being at our school and for an awesome show. The kids learnt a lot."