It was the launch of Jaadui Pitara (Magic Box) on 20 Feb 2023 by the Hon. Minister of Education, with some children invited on stage to unveil the box. As the children opened the Jaadui Pitara, the teaching-learning material for the foundational stage, they ruffled through the books and flashcards ceremonially. But when their eyes spotted the toys lying underneath, their eyes lit up as they thronged around it like children around a birthday cake. They picked up their favourite toy from the box- a doll, puppet, tambourine- beaming from ear to ear and engrossed in their world, with the stage and ceremony fading into the background. It elicited wonder, curiosity, and joy. The distinguished audience of over five hundred administrators, academicians, and teachers, remembering their childhood, broke into spontaneous applause and beaming smiles.
Bright eyes, laughter, giggles, chatter, pitter-patter of tiny feet, and an occasional wail make their way to classrooms across India at the start of the new school year in July 2024-25. Let us celebrate the new learning year by making it welcoming, joyful, and playful for every child. Play is natural for children and a powerful tool for holistic development (physical, socio-emotional, language, cognitive, and cultural). It allows children to be curious, explore, and experiment in a safe, fun, and non-judgmental space.
Recently, India and the world marked the UN declared June 11th as International Day of Play, recognizing the importance of play especially for children to thrive to their full potential. India has also stressed on play and has been a pioneer of sorts in institutionalizing it.
The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS), 2022 for the first time envisaged and crafted a curriculum framework for the foundational stage (covering ages 3-8). The core transformative aspect of NCF-FS is “Learn through play, ” giving legitimacy to what is known instinctively: when children play, they learn. Learning is not only when a child is writing. It’s imperative not to force a particular style of learning for there are as many pathways to learning as there are a number of learners. Play includes conversations, storytelling, toys, songs and rhymes, music and movement, arts and crafts, and indoor and outdoor games. This interaction creates an indelible bond amongst students, teachers, parents and community.
Historically, play as part of caregiving dates back to the Indus Valley civilization. The civilization lineage is visible in the rich and diverse repertoire of lullabies, children’s stories, games, toys, rhymes and riddles.
A symbol of the transformative nature of NCF-FS is NCERT’s Jaadui Pitara, released in February 2023. Jaadui Pitara exemplifies content needed in any school for the foundational stage. It is diverse and demonstrates the sensibilities (age-appropriate, sensory experience and local) to be kept in mind while developing such content. The Pitara has toys, games, puzzles, puppets, posters, flashcards, storybooks, playbooks and teacher handbooks. Each toy and play is mapped to a definite learning outcome.Stakeholders across the country have appreciated the transformative teaching-learning materials exemplified in the Jaadui Pitara. Efforts are ongoing by the states to customise the box’s contents for their local context and milieu.
Recognizing that we now live in digital era and technology-enabled channels can accelerate and amplify the reach and impact of the Jaadui Pitara, the Ministry of Education launched the e-Jaadui Pitara in February 2024 to complement the physical Jaadui Pitara and democratize access through multiple channels: computer, smart- and feature-phones, television and radio. Caregivers can now interact with virtual assistants, leveraging generative AI, through chat and voice features, to tell stories and ask questions on engaging children in play-learn activities.
Several studies on child development and the brain too indicate that play is essential for:
- Brain development, especially stimulation of the prefrontal cortex, responsible for attention, problem-solving and regulating social behaviour.
- Neuroplasticity orability to form new neural connections, fundamental for learning and adapting throughout life.
- Intuitive knowledge, essential for problem solving and decision making in complex and uncertain conditions.
Play as a fundamental aspect of parenting in building the foundation for children’s growth and development, from infancy, is underscored by international agencies like UNICEF.
During play, children are continuously making choices. They are full of wonder and joy. Play fosters among children: holistic development, creativity, and resilience. For adults, play enhances mental health, cognition and creativity. When parents and caregivers engage children in play, they celebrate play. Let’s celebrate play and help children learn and develop, Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao.
(Article is written by the Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Govt of India, Shri Sanjay Kumar, and Mr. Shankar Maruwada, CEO and Co-Founder EkStep Foundation, Bengaluru. Courtesy: PIB)
