The High Five shows were launched to 25 Johannesburg primary schools and saw around 12,000 learners with great success in October 2024. This interactive theatre show was designed to help children aged 8 to 11 to deal with the stress and anxiety they face in this digitally-driven world. High 5 teaches students essential tools to help them navigate the issues of stress, anxiety and bullying in a positive way.
This year, from 28 July until 3 October 2025, High 5 will be rolling out across South Africa, visiting 80 primary schools across Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria seeing around 26,000 students in Grades 1 – 4. Through this engaging and interactive session, the High 5 team will empower children to embrace kindness, resilience, safety, bravery and self-acceptance in their daily lives.
The Story Behind High 5
Kay Cheytanov, Founder of 3RC and Creator of High 5, was inspired to create High 5 through her own daughter’s experience of being bullied at school, when Kay saw the devastating impact this had on her child – she had to do something positive to help.
“High 5 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. It was heartbreaking. She was being bullied and didn’t know how to tell me that she was not okay. It made me realise: we’re waiting too long to teach children how to deal with their emotions,” says Kay.
“As adults, we often only start learning emotional tools after we’ve already broken down. But what if we gave children those tools early – before fear takes root, before silence becomes normal? That’s where the idea started: to create something joyful, powerful, and unforgettable that would equip young learners with practical life tools – but in a way that felt like play, not therapy.”
“I’ve spent nearly two decades using creativity to educate young people through 3RC – mostly high school students through career expos and interactive shows. But this was different. This needed to start at the very beginning. So, I created High 5 – a live theatre production designed specifically for children in Grades 1 to 4. At its heart are five tools:
Kindness Safety Resilience Bravery Individuality.”
“Each tool became a section in the show. Part of a song. A story. A feeling that a child could see, hear, and hold onto. We piloted High 5 in Johannesburg in 2024 – and the response floored me. Kids were singing the songs days later. Teachers told us their classrooms felt different. That’s all the proof I needed that we were onto something important. High 5 isn’t just a show. It’s a movement. A way of saying to every child, You matter. You’re not alone.”
“And that little girl who sparked it all? She’s doing just fine. I hope to continue this for many years and add more of these success stories along the line.”
Why High 5?
In today’s fast-paced and digitally-driven world, the mental well-being of children is more critical than ever. ⃰Research indicates a concerning rise in anxiety and depression among children, exacerbated by factors such as social media exposure and increasing academic and societal pressures.
With parents stretched thin by demanding work schedules, there’s a growing need for external support systems to instil vital life lessons in children. High 5 addresses these challenges head-on by providing a structured approach to mental wellness education.
High 5 offers a dynamic 55-minute program delivered by skilled facilitators and show staff directly to primary schools. Each session focuses on imparting crucial life lessons in a fun and interactive manner. Through activities, discussions, song and dance, children learn the importance of kindness, resilience, safety, bravery, and authenticity.
This campaign harnesses the power of performance combined with key mental health and wellness messages that will help children to deal with issues they face on a daily basis. High 5 is a 3RC production backed by a team with over 25 years of experience in educational initiatives.
“A massive thanks to our wonderful partners who saw the value in High 5 and decided to come on board; Medihelp, Ascendis Health with Jungle Vites and Zuru toys (giving every student a discount card to spoil themselves).”
“Keeping our children safe in this digitally-driven world is something on most parents’ minds these days and the campaign is focussed on helping children to deal with the stresses and pressures they face. The aim is for the program to keep expanding to reach and help more and more children, schools and families every year. That’s my dream!” says Kay.
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