Celebrating Play and Learning

Source-This post on Celebrating Play and Learning has been created based on the article “Learning with toys, stories and puzzles: The wonder of Jaadui Pitara” published in “The Indian Express” on 2 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context-India recently joined the global observance of the International Day of Play on June 11, recognized by the United Nations, highlighting the important role of play in enabling children to thrive and reach their full potential. India has prioritized play and has been at the forefront of institutionalizing it.

Why is playing important for children’s development?

1) Holistic Growth-Play is essential for children’s overall development—physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and cultural. It encourages curiosity, exploration, and experimentation in a safe and enjoyable environment.

2) Interactive Play Activities- Play involves talking, storytelling, using toys, singing, music, dancing, creating art, and playing both indoors and outdoors. These activities build strong connections among students, teachers, parents, and the community.

3) Brain Studies-Research on child development and brain studies show that play is essential for:

A) Brain development, especially stimulating the prefrontal cortex, which handles attention, problem-solving, and social behavior regulation
B) Neuroplasticity, the ability to form new neural connections crucial for learning and adapting throughout life
C) Intuitive knowledge, crucial for problem-solving and decision-making in complex and uncertain situations

4) Role of Play in Parenting- UNICEF highlights the vital role of play in parenting to build the foundation for children’s growth and development from infancy onward.

What are the steps taken by the government to promote playing for holistic development of children?

1) NEP and NCF-FS -The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) 2022 introduced a curriculum framework for children aged 3-8, focusing on learning through play for the first time.

Read more- How does the NEP support students

2) Jaadui Pitara -JNCERT’s Jaadui Pitara represents NCF-FS’s innovative approach to early education. It includes a variety of age-appropriate, locally relevant, and sensory-rich learning materials like toys, games, puzzles, etc.

3) e-Jaadui Pitara -The Ministry of Education launched the e-Jaadui Pitara to complement the physical box, making it accessible via computers, smartphones, television, and radio. Caregivers can engage with virtual assistants using AI chat and voice features to tell stories and encourage children in play-learning activities.

Question for practice

What is the significance of playing for the development of children?