Playground
A space to explore public goods by Collabactors, trigger imagination, connect the dots and open up conversations. Click on the categories below to explore further.
Featured Content
What does it really take for a child to feel safe, seen, and free to wonder? On May 23rd, over 150 people gathered in a 160-year-old school building in Bangalore to ask, and listen.
Bachpan Manao
What songs do families sing to their little ones across India? First Songs brings together lullabies in many languages—and invites you to listen, read, and share your own. Discover the quiet magic of early childhood at firstsongs.billionreaders.org.
Aastha Patel; Vibha Iyer; The Observation Project
What do we miss when we assume children are still learning — and not already teaching? Read more.
Devina; Mudito
Slate: a public resource for reflecting on childhood, care, and the spaces in between.
Dr. Jodi Pawluski
Explore a curated list of podcasts, articles, and research on how parenting reshapes the brain—covering maternal mental health, perinatal neuroscience, and the emotional realities of caregiving.
All Content
What began as a simple animated character soon became something far more powerful. Chulbuli’s gentle stories are quietly reshaping how families learn, connect, and see one another. Step inside the world where imagination meets behavior change — and discover how one playful character is transforming homes across India.
Behind Virudhunagar’s buzzing factories lie stories rarely told of women pushing through pain, debt, and impossible choices. When Mari’s world collapsed, an unexpected encounter set off a chain of change across entire industries. How did one worker’s hardship spark a collective shift toward safer, more informed workplaces? Read the story unfolding on the factory floors.
A librarian for 17 years, Radha carried stories in her heart long before she ever read them aloud. But one day, she walked into the Anganwadi next door — and everything changed. Picture books became portals, toddlers argued about tigers, and storytelling turned into laughter, movement, and magic. This is the story of how Radha found her purpose in a room full of tiny voices.
What happens when a shy 17-year-old in a conflict-affected village starts speaking openly about what her community avoids? Through Halbi — the language of trust — she sparks conversations that reshape how girls learn, how boys ask questions, and how silence begins to lift.
A wild-hearted boy named Gaja can outrun goats, climb hills, and race through his village — but school never quite made sense to him. Until a single story changed everything. What begins as a small spark of curiosity soon turns into a moment of courage that stops a wildlife crime and transforms an entire school. This is the real story of how one boy, one book, and one storyteller set off a quiet revolution.
It looks like play: a child pretending to be a doctor, another acting like a nurse.
But behind these tiny scenes lies a truth every teacher knows
joy isn’t extra. It’s the work.
Discover what early years teachers revealed when asked what joy means to them.
For years, Zubair hid from letters that refused to stay still.
Then one unexpected activity made him lean forward instead of away.
Read how a simple reading camp unlocked a world he thought wasn’t for him.
What happens when adults stop teaching and start watching? When we let children lead instead of direct? This year, we learned five things that changed how we see childhood, learning, and play.
What does it take for a child to grow up in a labor colony and still dream of the IAS?
From burnt dosas to state-level sprinting to night shifts pressing clothes —
Ullesh’s story is a quiet fire you won’t forget.
What happens when a child is expected to be perfect before she is even understood? Alia’s journey from quiet resilience to quiet disappearance reveals a truth we often overlook.
A powerful real story that asks us: Are we failing our children before they even begin?
How can parents become a child’s first teachers? Discover how a simple shift in mindset can help children become confident and school-ready.
A first-of-its-kind gathering where children took the mic and adults listened. Voices of Play celebrated the power of play through the eyes of children themselves—revealing honest stories of joy, exclusion, resilience, and hope.
Teachers know children best — yet their voices are rarely heard. Voices of Teaching brought educators from five states together to share stories, strategies, and lived experiences, revealing what truly drives joyful and effective classrooms.
What makes a playground truly magical? It’s not the swings or slides — it’s the feeling of belonging. This story explores how inclusive playgrounds create spaces where every child, with every ability, can play, grow, and discover the world side by side. Through simple design choices, thoughtful safety, sensory-rich experiences, and the power of community, we learn how play becomes a bridge to empathy, confidence, and connection. Inspired by the work of Latika in Dehradun, this piece invites us to imagine a playground where every bunny belongs — and where every family feels at home.
What happens when a city pauses to play? On September 8th, Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao and Bangalore Creative Circus transformed a warehouse into a vibrant playground — a space where adults rediscovered lightness, children led the way, and public spaces came alive with curiosity, creativity, and connection. With playful installations, art, films, and community-led reflections, this celebration of play revealed something profound: play isn’t just an activity, it’s a way of being. This story dives into what it took to bring the carnival to life — the values, the people, the design, the insights — and why reclaiming play might be exactly what our cities, communities, and selves need.
Playgrounds are where children discover joy, friendship, courage — and sometimes hurt, conflict, and exclusion. This powerful article takes you inside real conversations with young children who unpack what actually happens on the playground and how they, through empathy and collaboration, designed their own “Playground Toolkit” to make play safer, kinder, and more empowering. A refreshing, child-led perspective that will change the way you see play spaces forever.
Play isn’t just fun — it’s a child’s most natural path to learning, growth, and connection. But what happens when a child’s development or environment makes play harder to access? This article explores why all children need play, how it transforms development (especially for neurodiverse children), and how simple, everyday play can unlock confidence, communication, and joy. With real stories from parents and insights from Nidhi Foundation’s therapy practices, this piece will change the way you see play — and maybe even remind you how adults play too.
The Voices of Teaching conference (2024) by Simple Education Foundation and Bachpan Manao created a platform for teachers to share their stories from the classroom — moments of joy, care, and change. This report brings their voices forward, inspiring us to listen, learn, and act together for every child’s growth.
What makes an early learning space truly magical for a child? 🌈 Step into Key Education Foundation’s world of enriched classrooms — where play, curiosity, and thoughtful design come together to help every 4-year-old learn, explore, and thrive. Discover how simple, research-backed ideas are transforming early learning environments across India.
What happens when a child learns to read in a language that’s not their own? 🌍 Step into Gubbachi’s multilingual early childhood classroom in Bengaluru, where migrant children discover the joy of learning Kannada through play, stories, and their home languages — turning diversity into a bridge for literacy and belonging.
When learning meets fun: the story of an Anganwadi transforming childhood through play.
What happens when a young girl from a small farming family dreams of becoming a football coach and breaking the cycle of poverty? Meet Riya Rani—a survivor of illness, domestic challenges, and societal expectations—whose journey from Yuwa’s football field to a full scholarship at one of India’s top universities will inspire you to believe in the power of courage and education.
In this essay, we step into the world of children at construction sites where play unfolds without toys, supervision, or instruction, yet carries the seriousness of work and the completeness of learning. Through serious observations about serious play we explore what these moments reveal about agency, curiosity, and the conditions that make learning feel whole.
What keeps children fed, safe, and learning each day? Not policies or budgets, but the invisible ledgers of care that caregivers balance: time, money, dignity, and joy. Our study shows these everyday acts are not side notes, but the true infrastructure of childhood.
Discover the magic of libraries through “Kathe Chikkappa,” a delightful story honoring librarians who inspire children with the joy of reading and storytelling.
Bachpan Ka Thyohaar is a storybook that celebrates Anganwadis as vibrant and joyful spaces of play and learning and a tribute to the communities nurturing childhood futures.
Climate is not abstract for children; it’s a flooded playground, a vanished fruit, a trek to the jhum fields. At our Bachpan Baithak during India Climate Week, voices reminded us that resilience, stories, and everyday noticing are central to imagining child-friendly climate futures.
What if every policy, budget, and building plan began with one simple question: who is holding the child?
INDIA CARES is an invitation to see care as the foundation of childhood, the atmosphere children grow within, and the fabric that holds us all together.
Why do we treat play as the opposite of learning, when in fact play is learning?
At Kutuki, we’ve seen how storytelling, songs, art, and games help children build everything from speech and social skills to math, science, and even hygiene habits — joyfully and effectively.
From counting with straws to sorting veggies, Pratham’s School Readiness Mela makes learning fun for children entering Grade 1 — with parents joining every step of the way.
From Bhilwara to Goalpara, kids are breaking stereotypes with poems, comics, and adventures. Not That Different invites you to see childhood — and inclusion — in a whole new light.
In an age where knowledge is everywhere but attention is scarce, learning has moved beyond classrooms into every corner of life. This essay traces our shifting relationship with time as we move from scarcity to abundance and the rise of the “new-age learner” who combines a child’s curiosity with intention and self-regulation. It invites us to reclaim our time as the true material of learning.
Over six days, BM Stills traced questions, play, observations, voices, care, and futures as anchors of childhood. The retrospective reminds us that childhood is infrastructure, an abundance to notice, name, and nurture together.
What does school mean for children of migrant families in Bengaluru? At Gubbachi’s Community Learning Center, little Majida and her sister Noor are finding care, learning, and hope for a brighter future.
What happens when children take charge of learning—not just for themselves, but for their peers? From first graders building Talent Circles to Student Leaders inspiring attendance and confidence, Sambhal’s stories show how agency transforms classrooms and communities.
How did a shy mother from East Delhi transform into a confident parent leading her child’s learning journey? Discover Renu’s story through Pratham’s Mothers’ Group.
What does it take to help a child with cerebral palsy step into a mainstream school—and thrive? Aarti’s story shows how patience, teamwork, and belief in inclusion can change everything.
What if assessments weren’t stressful tests, but joyful moments of discovery? At SEF schools, children are laughing, trying, and celebrating progress—one safe assessment at a time.
Can fathers be more than providers in their daughters’ lives? Dharma Life’s #BeHerHero campaign showed how rural fathers, guided by local women leaders, began shifting from traditional roles to nurturing, supportive ones—opening doors to dreams, confidence, and connection.
What happens when Anganwadi families come together for a Diwali full of play, creativity, and discovery? From painting diyas to watching the Bachpan Manao film, parents, children, and teachers experienced a celebration that changed the way they look at learning, joy, and each other. Read on to see how a simple festival turned into a powerful reminder that small actions can spark big change.
This edition of the Slate Scribbles captures Hema’s visits to a few Balwadi’s in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu.
This edition of the Slate Sribbles is a glimpse of the field visit to sites where Jatan Sansthan implements work related to Early Childhood.
Can childhood be full of freedom and joy? Step inside Nirai Alternative Learning Center in Pollachi, born from one mother’s vision for her child – and now a thriving community.
Unlearning Childhood is a new series from the Bachpan Manao team, part of our ongoing attempt to pause and look again. It draws from observations, conversations, and everyday encounters in the field, moments that made us question things we thought we already knew.
Children remind us every day: learning cannot be rushed.
In this post, Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel move from their observations of children to the systems we grow up within — from basket weavers and medical apprenticeships, to alternative schools and flipped classrooms.
They ask: What designs, spaces, or systems are letting learning take its time?
One threat. One spark. One promise.
What began as a simple visit to an Anganwadi turned into a life-changing moment that gave birth to the Prapti Foundation. This is not just an organizational story. It is the story of a little girl in a frilled dress whose tears became the catalyst for a promise that no child should ever fear the place meant to nurture them.
Read on to discover how heartbreak turned into hope, and how one woman’s quiet stand became a movement for safer, more loving childhoods.
Childhood in Meghalaya, held in small acts, improvised spaces, and the many shapes of play.
A journey through Meghalaya’s childhoods, where play, space, and care weave together in fleeting yet powerful ways. These photobooks capture the overlooked acts and places that quietly hold children’s worlds in place.
What happens when librarians bring stories into Anganwadis?
The Anganwadi Impact Report 2023–24 reveals how simple read-aloud sessions transformed early learning for children and teachers in Karnataka.
A research report based on interviews with Individuals with disability, their caregivers and educational experts working in the
sector to understand their experiences with inclusion – the challenges they face and the possibilities for changing this narrative.
This FAQ explains how anyone can host a Voices of Play event and contribute to the National Play Manifesto, with simple steps and no special requirements.
A reflection on the unseen labour of caring adults who hold celebration together for children, even when the sparkle costs them sleep, quiet, and time; is that what love looks like in the festive season?
This piece explores the invisible curriculum of time and why rethinking it might be key to rethinking learning itself. This reading offers clues for reimagining what a freer, more thoughtful childhood might look like.
A quiet reflection on how caregiving stretches and shifts during long summer holidays, not dramatic, just daily, and maybe that’s the hardest kind of care to name… or is it?
Children already know how to play—but can we create the space for their voices to be heard?
A tender, rain-soaked reflection on how caregivers quietly adapt, anticipate, and hold others through the everyday storms of the monsoon.
What if play wasn’t the opposite of work, but the key to doing it better? This reflective piece invites you to rethink the false divide between seriousness and playfulness—exploring how an attitude of lightness can deepen learning, leadership, and connection. Ready to rediscover the power of play?
Marking the Golden Jubilee of ICDS, this collection brings together a year of essays, research, and frontline voices that celebrate the Anganwadi as India’s first classroom of care.
A reflection by Deepika Mogilishetty on how play, abundance, and presence can reshape the way we think about childhood in India.
What does a lullaby reveal about who gets to care, and who stays silent?
There’s something about how children spend time – unhurried, absorbed, led by curiosity. What does this tell us about learning?
In this Leaves in Pocket post, Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel explore this question deeply. From observations of children in a park to questions that linger, this piece reflects on how learning takes shape when time isn’t rushed, but allowed to unfold.
A gathering of crayons, stories, and questions—are we holding too tightly to childhood, or are we ready to let it unfold on its own?
Can Every Child Truly Belong in a Classroom?
Dhwani is more than a teacher’s manual—it’s a heartfelt, practical guide built by educators who’ve lived the challenges of inclusion. In this behind-the-scenes feature, discover the stories, struggles, and strategies that shaped Dhwani, and how it’s becoming a movement to reimagine Indian classrooms. Curious about what real inclusion looks like? Start here.
What if the best summer gift you can give your child is boredom? This heartfelt piece challenges the pressure of packed summer schedules and invites us to embrace stillness, play, and unstructured time as powerful tools for growth. A gentle reminder that doing less may actually mean giving more.
🌼 Should kids be allowed to pluck flowers?
This thought-provoking piece challenges the “look but don’t touch” approach to nature and invites us to rethink how children build a relationship with the natural world. A must-read for parents, educators, and anyone who believes in raising earth-connected kids.
In the hills of Coorg, where coffee flowers bloom and paths vanish in rain, caregiving hums like an old lullaby—steady, unseen, everywhere.
Rethinking care beyond joint and nuclear families—towards shared, intentional, community-rooted models.
Stories don’t begin on the page—they begin in the pit of your stomach.
In this evocative guide, Pankaj Mishra invites us to stop manufacturing narratives and instead tune in to the moments that won’t let us go. If you’re looking to write stories that stay, start by listening.
There’s a special relationship that exists between children and objects, something far beyond what the adult eye sees. This next post by ‘Leaves in Pocket’ aka Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel looks closer at this relationship and attempts to answer another curious question ‘Why do children choose certain objects?’
This lovely post is likely to open up a new way of looking at children’s choices and the importance of noticing and celebrating the little things.
What does it take to unlock joyful learning?
In Bengaluru, over 100 people came together to celebrate Karnataka’s strides in Early Childhood Education—with stories, songs, play, and a powerful message from children: “Please let us play.”
What if the future of childhood care isn’t about scaling models, but about scaling trust—one neighbourhood at a time?
Children’s choices from the objects they hold close to the games they return to, aren’t random. They reflect deep inner worlds, unspoken needs, and unique ways of making meaning. This piece invites us to look closer, listen better, and rethink how we respond to what children choose for themselves.
What happens when care drifts across generations—slowly, silently, and systemically?
If play is a child’s right, shouldn’t their voices write the rules? Discover Voices of Play — where children are leading the way to a more joyful, playful world.
Reflections on Cohort 1 of the FactorDaily–Bachpan Manao Storytelling Fellowship
An exploration of how our pace, our expertise, and our belief in structure quietly get in the way of designing from deep observation.
Behind every childhood moment is someone who noticed, prepared, and quietly cared — this installation invites us to see them.
Discover everyday play ideas for children up to 8 years—created by UNICEF India for International Day of Play 2024. These simple, joyful activities nurture learning and connection at home, and are available in 5 Indian languages. Because one hour of play each day can shape a child’s lifelong journey.
What shifts when we observe before we act?
When we begin with trust, when we slow down enough to truly see what children are already thinking, doing, becoming – something changes.This piece is a reflection on that change. On how deep, careful observation can reshape what we build, how we teach, and the choices we make along the way.
What does it really take for a child to feel safe, seen, and free to wonder? On May 23rd, over 150 people gathered in a 160-year-old school building in Bangalore to ask, and listen.
Explore the First Songs Celebration – a joyful event that launched an archive of 100+ lullabies in 13 languages. Watch the recording and celebrate the power of singing in early childhood.
What songs do families sing to their little ones across India? First Songs brings together lullabies in many languages—and invites you to listen, read, and share your own. Discover the quiet magic of early childhood at firstsongs.billionreaders.org.
Inside a room tucked away in a school corridor, Ghousia Sultana has spent over ten years quietly creating a space where children are seen, heard, and held. What would it take to make more centres like hers — where care isn’t just a programme, but a daily practice?
Gendered toys aren’t just about colors—they’re about the subtle stories we tell children about who they can be. This reflection challenges us to go beyond labels and let children lead their play, their way.
In a world obsessed with parenting tips and hacks, this piece offers a gentle reminder: children don’t need perfection—they need presence. A love letter to caregivers who keep showing up, even when they feel like they’re falling short.
What if democracy isn’t something we teach but something we live—with toddlers? This reflection explores how early childhood can be a powerful space for practicing voice, co-creating rules, and sowing the seeds of empathy, equity, and shared power.
What if the best learning doesn’t happen in neat age groups but in vibrant, mixed-age communities? This piece challenges conventional classroom structures and makes a compelling case for learning that’s relational, responsive, and rooted in real life.
What do we miss when we assume children are still learning — and not already teaching? Read more.
What if silence is not a lack of learning but its deepest expression? This reflection challenges the urge to fill every moment and reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful teaching is in the pause.
In a world rushing children into academics, this piece is a call to pause and reflect: What if the best way to prepare children for the future is by honoring how they are wired to learn—through play, curiosity, and connection?
How can technology spark playful learning at home and build stronger parent-child bonds? Discover stories and insights from those making it happen in Episode 22 of the Bachpan Manao Series.
Slate: a public resource for reflecting on childhood, care, and the spaces in between.
We often talk about resilience in children—but what does it take to nurture resilience when you’re the one holding it all together? What does resilient care look like, in real life?
Explore a curated list of podcasts, articles, and research on how parenting reshapes the brain—covering maternal mental health, perinatal neuroscience, and the emotional realities of caregiving.
What does caregiving look like in real Indian homes?
This photo project captures everyday moments of love, talk, and play—bringing early childhood science to life.
What if the biggest lessons in childhood came from slowing down, listening closely, and trusting children to lead the way?
What Happens When a Nervous Teacher Meets a Smart Chatbot?
Discover how the Nanna Sakhi app turned a moment of panic into a morning of discovery—and is quietly revolutionizing early childhood education across Anganwadis!
What really happens to your brain when you become a parent? 🧠
In this powerful conversation, neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski busts myths about the “mommy brain” and dives into the fascinating neural changes in both moms and dads. From emotional intelligence to bonding hormones—this is parenting like you’ve never seen it before.
Caregiving is constant, often invisible—and rarely replenished. If we want children to thrive, shouldn’t we begin by asking how the people raising them are really doing?
“Explore how honoring your child’s emerging spirit could change the way you parent—and the way you see yourself.”
In a city that often overlooks its invisible workers, who notices how their children arrive—tired, hungry, hopeful? What does it take to make learning possible before the lessons even begin?
Illume’s research uncovers the layered realities of educating rescued children in shelter homes. It’s an invitation to raise the level of conversation—beyond access or literacy—towards healing, agency, and whole-child learning in the most adverse and diverse circumstances.
What does it take to truly support caregivers at work—not just in policy, but in everyday practice? Who gets left out, and what would it take to change that?
What does care look like when it’s not bought or borrowed—but shared?
Across India, communities are quietly raising children together.
What if the tuition class down your lane isn’t just about alphabets and numbers, but something far more essential? In cities where formal childcare is missing, could these modest learning spaces actually be the quiet care systems we refuse to name?
What started as a one-rupee comic habit at a kirana shop grew into a quiet revolution. In Bhopal’s forgotten lanes, Saba Khan’s community libraries are rewriting what’s possible for girls, one story at a time.
Factory crèches were meant to support workers, but many remain unsafe, inflexible, or out of reach. What if they were reimagined to truly serve parents—safe, shift-friendly, and shaped by workers’ needs?
Do we interrupt children’s thoughts without realizing it? Explore why silence is an essential part of learning—and how stepping back can allow a child’s mind to truly grow.
Daycare centres are struggling post-pandemic, hit by low enrolments and shifting family needs. Is this the end of traditional childcare—or the start of something more flexible, local, and new?
Sandhya Gupta and Prapti Bhasin ask us to imagine – What if math wasn’t a subject to fear, but a skill we already use? “Moms for Math” celebrates the everyday math in parenting, turning routines into joyful learning experiences for children.
Take a moment of quiet happiness to reflect on the findings of ASER 2024. More of youngest are enrolled in learning spaces and we are seeing a clear uptick in the reading and arithmetic levels of our little ones. It may just be an inflection point. A point where if we take the opportunity, we may see a generational shift for our youngest.
What if living, learning, and livelihood weren’t separate but part of one elegant, nested system? Reva Jhingan Malik invites us to rethink childhood as a seamless, instinctive journey—one where play, curiosity, and connection naturally shape a child’s foundation for life.
Discover three distinct caregiver personas from our research with e-Jaadui Pitaara app users—those who embrace technology, those who struggle, and those seeking balance. How does their approach shape a child’s learning? Dive into real-life insights on turning tech into a tool for empowerment.
Why is unstructured play essential for a child’s growth? In this interview, Deepika Mogilishetty unpacks the power of free play and why parents, educators, and policymakers must champion it.
Hear directly from children as they redefine play, question adult expectations, and share how they navigate a world with shrinking play spaces.
Fathers and play—two words not often linked, yet a study reveals that Indian fathers cherish playing with their young children the most. Could it be that they instinctively know what science confirms—that play is essential for a child’s growth, learning, and emotional well-being?
When mothers come together, learning thrives! Discover how young mothers’ groups are creating supportive ecosystems that nurture children’s early growth and development.
India’s journey in parent engagement is part of a larger, global movement. This article featured in 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵: 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, published by Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) and the Global Initiative to Support Parents, brings out the diverse circumstances and voices of parents in India and celebrates the diversity of actions, solutions and networks that have emerged on ground in response.
Maternity leave is the norm in India, but what about paternity leave? Sweden’s model of shared parental leave challenges outdated norms, making care a collective responsibility. In India, extended families already step in—what if policies supported them? Care is about presence and choice. How can we rethink it?
We say it takes a village—but where is the village now? As caregiving becomes more individualised and hidden, how do we reimagine care as a shared practice rather than an invisible burden?
Care work is the invisible backbone of our society—yet in India, it remains undervalued and unsupported. From overburdened Anganwadis to the shrinking number of crèches, caregivers navigate a fractured system with little institutional support. This piece explores the crisis, the systemic gaps, and what needs to change.
How can we better support children’s ideal childhoods?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, Parul Sheth, Ashish Srivastava, and Archana Mohan share reflections on children’s perspectives, the power of play, fostering agency, and the importance of listening and creating safe spaces.
Can play transform learning?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, Srinidhi Lakshmanan, Helen Issar, and Swetha Guhan share perspectives on the power of play-based learning and how it shapes mindsets, environments, and assessments.
Do children with disabilities play?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, listen to insights from Jo Chopra McGowan and Sonali Saini about how play can be made more accessible.
Did you know anyone can be an Art Facilitator?
Dive into the Creative Art Express videos!
Why Free Play? This video highlights the benefits of free play, drawing connections between fiction and real-life child growth.
Does play foster learning?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, listen to insights from initiatives of Pratham Education Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation and EduWeave Foundation.
Want to know where Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao came from?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships at EkStep Foundation, introduces the Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao initiative sharing insights and stories on how this came to be and what the future holds in store.
As part of the campaign, GramVaani broadcasted 46 diverse episodes from the BMBJ network via their IVR platforms, reaching rural Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. You can access the IVRS content through here.
Does India’s legal and policy framework provide inclusive education for children with disabilities? Explore this report to learn about policy gaps and recommendations for inclusive education in India.
Unlock the magic of storytelling with Read-Aloud Resources! Dive into a treasure trove of guides, videos, and tools that transform simple read-aloud sessions into unforgettable journeys of imagination and learning.
This journal article examines the role of intuitive learning in early childhood and emphasizes the importance of integrating it into education to foster innovative thinking.
This journal article explores the impact of nonlinear and play-based learning interventions in promoting holistic growth and flexible, child-centered learning.
Curious to know about how to make Peer Teaching and Peer Learning a reality in your school? Check out this pocket book to find out!
This report addresses India’s need for improved Early Childhood Education (ECE) per the National Education Policy 2020.
Do we know what early childhood looks like in India?
#ChildhoodDialogues is a space designed for capturing ideas, showcasing efforts, and enabling conversations around early childhood looks like in India today.
EkStep and it’s ecosystem partners (over 35+ participants) together systematically gathered insights from the field. Here’s a glimpse.
Curious about how to celebrate a Bachpan Manao tyohar? Check out this template of ideas to know more.
Explore curricular goals as highlighted in the National Curriculum Framework – Foundational Stage
An AI powered chatbot trained on the National Curriculum Framework.
Pratham Books StoryWeaver’s #GetChildrenReading initiative curates storybooks, activities and more for the early childhood years.
Can you identify the learning moments as a child grows? Watch this short video on some moments of childhood that are significant in a child’s growth
प्रारंभिक वर्षों को समझने का नज़रिया
Buntings with quotes from ‘Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao’
Bookmarks from ‘Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao’
Stickers for books, electronic gadgets, and anywhere else you’d like to celebrate ‘Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao’
Beautifully illustrated conversations, by Dinesh Francis, from the Childhood Workshop that sum it all up.
Explore a rich tapestry of insights from childhood development experts, illustrated by Dinesh Francis, revealing the future of education.
Provocative questions and prompts that make you think deeper about the challenges in Early Childhood.
Why do we need to reclaim & build spaces for our kids? Anthill Creations elaborate on this and more.
Take a peek inside India’s innovative, DIY, sustainable playgrounds by Anthill Creations.
This detailed document gives an account of the research, insights, and inferences that led to the birth of Bachpan Manao Badhte Jao.
How-to videos in English to engage with children in different ways.
Discover the magic of everyday moments with Baatein Sneh Khel. This platform reveals how simple acts of talk, care, and play can unlock a world of learning and growth for young children.
Step into the world of Librarians of India, where stories of transformation come alive. Discover how librarians are turning libraries into vibrant spaces of learning, inclusion, and community impact across the nation.
A comprehensive framework that outlines the country’s vision and goals for education reform across various levels
A super connector to cross leverage ecosystem capabilities and catalyse innovation in skilling and education.
Check out this Indian government program focused on enhancing literacy and numeracy skills among school children.
A microsite by The Better India that creates a space for dialogues around Early Childhood in India.
Librarians as changemakers? Watch a short clip showcasing the transformation of public libraries by the amazing librarians of Karnataka!
Jo McGowan-Chopra and Rupa Bishnoi of Latika share how inclusivity in early childhood care can go a long way in a person’s holistic development.
Experts in early childhood care and education share how India can better ensure that its children don’t fall behind.
A detailed framework and guide to how India can impart quality foundational stage education.
What do good libraries look like? How can you set up one yourself? Read this Starter kit to find out.
How can libraries become spaces of play and learning? Read these transformative stories of librarians to find out.
Shankar Maruwada, CEO of EkStep Foundation, explains what India’s policymakers have in store for its children.
What do parents have to share about the first time their children spoke, ate, or did something new on their own? Watch this heartwarming video and find out.
Why are the Early Years of a child so important? What can parents do to maximise the opportunity of these years? Read this report to find out and more.
Where is India in its journey of achieving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy? Check out the report to know more.
What are the benefits of reading aloud to children? And how do you conduct one? Check out this guide to find out.
How does the child experience the world? What and who does she learn from? Can your recognise her learning moments?
The Better India summarises what the Jaadui Pitaara, India’s play-based learning material for 3 to 8 year old children, is.
Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji University, shares his views on India’s National Curriculum Framework – Foundational Stage.
Namya Mahajan, Co-founder of Rocket Learning, highlights the importance of involving parents in Anganwadi centers to enhance early childhood care and education.
Mangal Pandey, CEO of Key Education Foundation, advocates the transformation of Anganwadi Centers in India into vibrant learning spaces.
Rohini Nilekani, Founder of EkStep Foundation, underscores India’s unique opportunity to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy.
Shankar Maruwada, CEO of EkStep Foundation, emphasizes the opportunity for India to improve early childhood education as the child demographic decreases, stressing the need for diverse solutions.
Are Anganwadi Workers equipped to teach the youngest of our children, Rocket Learning’s study sheds light on this and more.
What do fathers think about preschool education? Find out more from Probex’s research on fathers’ beliefs and challenges in engaging with their preschool-age children.
Do the professional development opportunities available for Early Educators address their needs and challenges? Key Education Foundation’s study on this provides remarkable insights.
How many different kinds of primary caregivers are there? Illume’s research lets us know.
What are the different attitudes, aspirations, and challenges of primary caregivers? Illume’s research sheds light on this.
What concepts are the foundation of Early Childhood? These Building Blocks provide answers that can transform early childhood approaches.
Do parents thinks learning and play are linked? Prof. Venita Kaul, Professor Emerita (Education) at Ambedkar University, Delhi, sheds light on this.
Does the practice of reframing change our perspectives? Jo Chopra-McGowan, Executive Director of the Latika Roy Foundation, elaborates on this.
Is the medium irrelevant if the message is strong? Bharat Bevinahally, Co-Founder of the Kutuki Learning App, conveys his views.
Is it okay for children to be obsessed with a topic? Helen Issar, Founder of Papagoya Education, shares more on this.
Does a mother’s mental health affect the child? Dr. Shoba Srinath, former Head of Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, responds.
Do parents understand compentencies? Sashwati Banerjee, Founding Director of Humanitus, addresses this crucial question.
What should curriculum focus on? Dr. Rukmini Banerji, CEO of Pratham Education Foundation, shares her views.
Why is a flexible curriculum necessary? Listen to Nomita Sikand, Co-founder of Gubbachi Learning Community, and find out why.
Are public urban spaces designed keeping young children and their caregivers in mind? Find out more from Rushda Majeed, Chief Program Officer of Van Leer Foundation.
Are we in a hurry to turn children into students? Watch the video and discover insights that were unearthed at the Early Childhood Workshop, 2022
Did you know that children learn by shadowing their parents? Watch the video to understand the influence of parental behavior on children’s development.
Do you think invested parenting is only about teaching a child literacy or numeracy? Watch the video for the answer and more.
Featured Articles
In this essay, we step into the world of children at construction sites where play unfolds without toys, supervision, or instruction, yet carries the seriousness of work and the completeness of learning. Through serious observations about serious play we explore what these moments reveal about agency, curiosity, and the conditions that make learning feel whole.
In an age where knowledge is everywhere but attention is scarce, learning has moved beyond classrooms into every corner of life. This essay traces our shifting relationship with time as we move from scarcity to abundance and the rise of the “new-age learner” who combines a child’s curiosity with intention and self-regulation. It invites us to reclaim our time as the true material of learning.
Children remind us every day: learning cannot be rushed. In this post, Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel move from their observations of children to the systems we grow up within — from basket weavers and medical apprenticeships, to alternative schools and flipped classrooms. They ask: What designs, spaces, or systems are letting learning take its time?
aastha
This piece explores the invisible curriculum of time and why rethinking it might be key to rethinking learning itself. This reading offers clues for reimagining what a freer, more thoughtful childhood might look like.
All Articles
What began as a simple animated character soon became something far more powerful. Chulbuli’s gentle stories are quietly reshaping how families learn, connect, and see one another. Step inside the world where imagination meets behavior change — and discover how one playful character is transforming homes across India.
Behind Virudhunagar’s buzzing factories lie stories rarely told of women pushing through pain, debt, and impossible choices. When Mari’s world collapsed, an unexpected encounter set off a chain of change across entire industries. How did one worker’s hardship spark a collective shift toward safer, more informed workplaces? Read the story unfolding on the factory floors.
A librarian for 17 years, Radha carried stories in her heart long before she ever read them aloud. But one day, she walked into the Anganwadi next door — and everything changed. Picture books became portals, toddlers argued about tigers, and storytelling turned into laughter, movement, and magic. This is the story of how Radha found her purpose in a room full of tiny voices.
What happens when a shy 17-year-old in a conflict-affected village starts speaking openly about what her community avoids? Through Halbi — the language of trust — she sparks conversations that reshape how girls learn, how boys ask questions, and how silence begins to lift.
A wild-hearted boy named Gaja can outrun goats, climb hills, and race through his village — but school never quite made sense to him. Until a single story changed everything. What begins as a small spark of curiosity soon turns into a moment of courage that stops a wildlife crime and transforms an entire school. This is the real story of how one boy, one book, and one storyteller set off a quiet revolution.
It looks like play: a child pretending to be a doctor, another acting like a nurse.
But behind these tiny scenes lies a truth every teacher knows
joy isn’t extra. It’s the work.
Discover what early years teachers revealed when asked what joy means to them.
For years, Zubair hid from letters that refused to stay still.
Then one unexpected activity made him lean forward instead of away.
Read how a simple reading camp unlocked a world he thought wasn’t for him.
What happens when adults stop teaching and start watching? When we let children lead instead of direct? This year, we learned five things that changed how we see childhood, learning, and play.
What does it take for a child to grow up in a labor colony and still dream of the IAS?
From burnt dosas to state-level sprinting to night shifts pressing clothes —
Ullesh’s story is a quiet fire you won’t forget.
What happens when a child is expected to be perfect before she is even understood? Alia’s journey from quiet resilience to quiet disappearance reveals a truth we often overlook.
A powerful real story that asks us: Are we failing our children before they even begin?
How can parents become a child’s first teachers? Discover how a simple shift in mindset can help children become confident and school-ready.
A first-of-its-kind gathering where children took the mic and adults listened. Voices of Play celebrated the power of play through the eyes of children themselves—revealing honest stories of joy, exclusion, resilience, and hope.
Teachers know children best — yet their voices are rarely heard. Voices of Teaching brought educators from five states together to share stories, strategies, and lived experiences, revealing what truly drives joyful and effective classrooms.
What makes a playground truly magical? It’s not the swings or slides — it’s the feeling of belonging. This story explores how inclusive playgrounds create spaces where every child, with every ability, can play, grow, and discover the world side by side. Through simple design choices, thoughtful safety, sensory-rich experiences, and the power of community, we learn how play becomes a bridge to empathy, confidence, and connection. Inspired by the work of Latika in Dehradun, this piece invites us to imagine a playground where every bunny belongs — and where every family feels at home.
What happens when a city pauses to play? On September 8th, Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao and Bangalore Creative Circus transformed a warehouse into a vibrant playground — a space where adults rediscovered lightness, children led the way, and public spaces came alive with curiosity, creativity, and connection. With playful installations, art, films, and community-led reflections, this celebration of play revealed something profound: play isn’t just an activity, it’s a way of being. This story dives into what it took to bring the carnival to life — the values, the people, the design, the insights — and why reclaiming play might be exactly what our cities, communities, and selves need.
Playgrounds are where children discover joy, friendship, courage — and sometimes hurt, conflict, and exclusion. This powerful article takes you inside real conversations with young children who unpack what actually happens on the playground and how they, through empathy and collaboration, designed their own “Playground Toolkit” to make play safer, kinder, and more empowering. A refreshing, child-led perspective that will change the way you see play spaces forever.
Play isn’t just fun — it’s a child’s most natural path to learning, growth, and connection. But what happens when a child’s development or environment makes play harder to access? This article explores why all children need play, how it transforms development (especially for neurodiverse children), and how simple, everyday play can unlock confidence, communication, and joy. With real stories from parents and insights from Nidhi Foundation’s therapy practices, this piece will change the way you see play — and maybe even remind you how adults play too.
What makes an early learning space truly magical for a child? 🌈 Step into Key Education Foundation’s world of enriched classrooms — where play, curiosity, and thoughtful design come together to help every 4-year-old learn, explore, and thrive. Discover how simple, research-backed ideas are transforming early learning environments across India.
What happens when a child learns to read in a language that’s not their own? 🌍 Step into Gubbachi’s multilingual early childhood classroom in Bengaluru, where migrant children discover the joy of learning Kannada through play, stories, and their home languages — turning diversity into a bridge for literacy and belonging.
When learning meets fun: the story of an Anganwadi transforming childhood through play.
What happens when a young girl from a small farming family dreams of becoming a football coach and breaking the cycle of poverty? Meet Riya Rani—a survivor of illness, domestic challenges, and societal expectations—whose journey from Yuwa’s football field to a full scholarship at one of India’s top universities will inspire you to believe in the power of courage and education.
In this essay, we step into the world of children at construction sites where play unfolds without toys, supervision, or instruction, yet carries the seriousness of work and the completeness of learning. Through serious observations about serious play we explore what these moments reveal about agency, curiosity, and the conditions that make learning feel whole.
Why do we treat play as the opposite of learning, when in fact play is learning?
At Kutuki, we’ve seen how storytelling, songs, art, and games help children build everything from speech and social skills to math, science, and even hygiene habits — joyfully and effectively.
From counting with straws to sorting veggies, Pratham’s School Readiness Mela makes learning fun for children entering Grade 1 — with parents joining every step of the way.
From Bhilwara to Goalpara, kids are breaking stereotypes with poems, comics, and adventures. Not That Different invites you to see childhood — and inclusion — in a whole new light.
In an age where knowledge is everywhere but attention is scarce, learning has moved beyond classrooms into every corner of life. This essay traces our shifting relationship with time as we move from scarcity to abundance and the rise of the “new-age learner” who combines a child’s curiosity with intention and self-regulation. It invites us to reclaim our time as the true material of learning.
Over six days, BM Stills traced questions, play, observations, voices, care, and futures as anchors of childhood. The retrospective reminds us that childhood is infrastructure, an abundance to notice, name, and nurture together.
What does school mean for children of migrant families in Bengaluru? At Gubbachi’s Community Learning Center, little Majida and her sister Noor are finding care, learning, and hope for a brighter future.
What happens when children take charge of learning—not just for themselves, but for their peers? From first graders building Talent Circles to Student Leaders inspiring attendance and confidence, Sambhal’s stories show how agency transforms classrooms and communities.
How did a shy mother from East Delhi transform into a confident parent leading her child’s learning journey? Discover Renu’s story through Pratham’s Mothers’ Group.
What does it take to help a child with cerebral palsy step into a mainstream school—and thrive? Aarti’s story shows how patience, teamwork, and belief in inclusion can change everything.
What if assessments weren’t stressful tests, but joyful moments of discovery? At SEF schools, children are laughing, trying, and celebrating progress—one safe assessment at a time.
Can fathers be more than providers in their daughters’ lives? Dharma Life’s #BeHerHero campaign showed how rural fathers, guided by local women leaders, began shifting from traditional roles to nurturing, supportive ones—opening doors to dreams, confidence, and connection.
What happens when Anganwadi families come together for a Diwali full of play, creativity, and discovery? From painting diyas to watching the Bachpan Manao film, parents, children, and teachers experienced a celebration that changed the way they look at learning, joy, and each other. Read on to see how a simple festival turned into a powerful reminder that small actions can spark big change.
Can childhood be full of freedom and joy? Step inside Nirai Alternative Learning Center in Pollachi, born from one mother’s vision for her child – and now a thriving community.
Children remind us every day: learning cannot be rushed.
In this post, Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel move from their observations of children to the systems we grow up within — from basket weavers and medical apprenticeships, to alternative schools and flipped classrooms.
They ask: What designs, spaces, or systems are letting learning take its time?
One threat. One spark. One promise.
What began as a simple visit to an Anganwadi turned into a life-changing moment that gave birth to the Prapti Foundation. This is not just an organizational story. It is the story of a little girl in a frilled dress whose tears became the catalyst for a promise that no child should ever fear the place meant to nurture them.
Read on to discover how heartbreak turned into hope, and how one woman’s quiet stand became a movement for safer, more loving childhoods.
Childhood in Meghalaya, held in small acts, improvised spaces, and the many shapes of play.
A journey through Meghalaya’s childhoods, where play, space, and care weave together in fleeting yet powerful ways. These photobooks capture the overlooked acts and places that quietly hold children’s worlds in place.
What happens when librarians bring stories into Anganwadis?
The Anganwadi Impact Report 2023–24 reveals how simple read-aloud sessions transformed early learning for children and teachers in Karnataka.
A reflection on the unseen labour of caring adults who hold celebration together for children, even when the sparkle costs them sleep, quiet, and time; is that what love looks like in the festive season?
This piece explores the invisible curriculum of time and why rethinking it might be key to rethinking learning itself. This reading offers clues for reimagining what a freer, more thoughtful childhood might look like.
A quiet reflection on how caregiving stretches and shifts during long summer holidays, not dramatic, just daily, and maybe that’s the hardest kind of care to name… or is it?
Children already know how to play—but can we create the space for their voices to be heard?
What if play wasn’t the opposite of work, but the key to doing it better? This reflective piece invites you to rethink the false divide between seriousness and playfulness—exploring how an attitude of lightness can deepen learning, leadership, and connection. Ready to rediscover the power of play?
Marking the Golden Jubilee of ICDS, this collection brings together a year of essays, research, and frontline voices that celebrate the Anganwadi as India’s first classroom of care.
A reflection by Deepika Mogilishetty on how play, abundance, and presence can reshape the way we think about childhood in India.
There’s something about how children spend time – unhurried, absorbed, led by curiosity. What does this tell us about learning?
In this Leaves in Pocket post, Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel explore this question deeply. From observations of children in a park to questions that linger, this piece reflects on how learning takes shape when time isn’t rushed, but allowed to unfold.
A gathering of crayons, stories, and questions—are we holding too tightly to childhood, or are we ready to let it unfold on its own?
What if the best summer gift you can give your child is boredom? This heartfelt piece challenges the pressure of packed summer schedules and invites us to embrace stillness, play, and unstructured time as powerful tools for growth. A gentle reminder that doing less may actually mean giving more.
🌼 Should kids be allowed to pluck flowers?
This thought-provoking piece challenges the “look but don’t touch” approach to nature and invites us to rethink how children build a relationship with the natural world. A must-read for parents, educators, and anyone who believes in raising earth-connected kids.
There’s a special relationship that exists between children and objects, something far beyond what the adult eye sees. This next post by ‘Leaves in Pocket’ aka Vibha Iyer and Aastha Patel looks closer at this relationship and attempts to answer another curious question ‘Why do children choose certain objects?’
This lovely post is likely to open up a new way of looking at children’s choices and the importance of noticing and celebrating the little things.
What does it take to unlock joyful learning?
In Bengaluru, over 100 people came together to celebrate Karnataka’s strides in Early Childhood Education—with stories, songs, play, and a powerful message from children: “Please let us play.”
Children’s choices from the objects they hold close to the games they return to, aren’t random. They reflect deep inner worlds, unspoken needs, and unique ways of making meaning. This piece invites us to look closer, listen better, and rethink how we respond to what children choose for themselves.
An exploration of how our pace, our expertise, and our belief in structure quietly get in the way of designing from deep observation.
Behind every childhood moment is someone who noticed, prepared, and quietly cared — this installation invites us to see them.
What shifts when we observe before we act?
When we begin with trust, when we slow down enough to truly see what children are already thinking, doing, becoming – something changes.This piece is a reflection on that change. On how deep, careful observation can reshape what we build, how we teach, and the choices we make along the way.
What does it really take for a child to feel safe, seen, and free to wonder? On May 23rd, over 150 people gathered in a 160-year-old school building in Bangalore to ask, and listen.
Inside a room tucked away in a school corridor, Ghousia Sultana has spent over ten years quietly creating a space where children are seen, heard, and held. What would it take to make more centres like hers — where care isn’t just a programme, but a daily practice?
Gendered toys aren’t just about colors—they’re about the subtle stories we tell children about who they can be. This reflection challenges us to go beyond labels and let children lead their play, their way.
In a world obsessed with parenting tips and hacks, this piece offers a gentle reminder: children don’t need perfection—they need presence. A love letter to caregivers who keep showing up, even when they feel like they’re falling short.
What if democracy isn’t something we teach but something we live—with toddlers? This reflection explores how early childhood can be a powerful space for practicing voice, co-creating rules, and sowing the seeds of empathy, equity, and shared power.
What if the best learning doesn’t happen in neat age groups but in vibrant, mixed-age communities? This piece challenges conventional classroom structures and makes a compelling case for learning that’s relational, responsive, and rooted in real life.
What if silence is not a lack of learning but its deepest expression? This reflection challenges the urge to fill every moment and reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful teaching is in the pause.
In a world rushing children into academics, this piece is a call to pause and reflect: What if the best way to prepare children for the future is by honoring how they are wired to learn—through play, curiosity, and connection?
Slate: a public resource for reflecting on childhood, care, and the spaces in between.
We often talk about resilience in children—but what does it take to nurture resilience when you’re the one holding it all together? What does resilient care look like, in real life?
What does caregiving look like in real Indian homes?
This photo project captures everyday moments of love, talk, and play—bringing early childhood science to life.
What if the biggest lessons in childhood came from slowing down, listening closely, and trusting children to lead the way?
What Happens When a Nervous Teacher Meets a Smart Chatbot?
Discover how the Nanna Sakhi app turned a moment of panic into a morning of discovery—and is quietly revolutionizing early childhood education across Anganwadis!
What really happens to your brain when you become a parent? 🧠
In this powerful conversation, neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski busts myths about the “mommy brain” and dives into the fascinating neural changes in both moms and dads. From emotional intelligence to bonding hormones—this is parenting like you’ve never seen it before.
Caregiving is constant, often invisible—and rarely replenished. If we want children to thrive, shouldn’t we begin by asking how the people raising them are really doing?
“Explore how honoring your child’s emerging spirit could change the way you parent—and the way you see yourself.”
What does it take to truly support caregivers at work—not just in policy, but in everyday practice? Who gets left out, and what would it take to change that?
What does care look like when it’s not bought or borrowed—but shared?
Across India, communities are quietly raising children together.
What if the tuition class down your lane isn’t just about alphabets and numbers, but something far more essential? In cities where formal childcare is missing, could these modest learning spaces actually be the quiet care systems we refuse to name?
What started as a one-rupee comic habit at a kirana shop grew into a quiet revolution. In Bhopal’s forgotten lanes, Saba Khan’s community libraries are rewriting what’s possible for girls, one story at a time.
Factory crèches were meant to support workers, but many remain unsafe, inflexible, or out of reach. What if they were reimagined to truly serve parents—safe, shift-friendly, and shaped by workers’ needs?
Do we interrupt children’s thoughts without realizing it? Explore why silence is an essential part of learning—and how stepping back can allow a child’s mind to truly grow.
Daycare centres are struggling post-pandemic, hit by low enrolments and shifting family needs. Is this the end of traditional childcare—or the start of something more flexible, local, and new?
Sandhya Gupta and Prapti Bhasin ask us to imagine – What if math wasn’t a subject to fear, but a skill we already use? “Moms for Math” celebrates the everyday math in parenting, turning routines into joyful learning experiences for children.
Take a moment of quiet happiness to reflect on the findings of ASER 2024. More of youngest are enrolled in learning spaces and we are seeing a clear uptick in the reading and arithmetic levels of our little ones. It may just be an inflection point. A point where if we take the opportunity, we may see a generational shift for our youngest.
What if living, learning, and livelihood weren’t separate but part of one elegant, nested system? Reva Jhingan Malik invites us to rethink childhood as a seamless, instinctive journey—one where play, curiosity, and connection naturally shape a child’s foundation for life.
Why is unstructured play essential for a child’s growth? In this interview, Deepika Mogilishetty unpacks the power of free play and why parents, educators, and policymakers must champion it.
Fathers and play—two words not often linked, yet a study reveals that Indian fathers cherish playing with their young children the most. Could it be that they instinctively know what science confirms—that play is essential for a child’s growth, learning, and emotional well-being?
When mothers come together, learning thrives! Discover how young mothers’ groups are creating supportive ecosystems that nurture children’s early growth and development.
India’s journey in parent engagement is part of a larger, global movement. This article featured in 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵: 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘈𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, published by Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN) and the Global Initiative to Support Parents, brings out the diverse circumstances and voices of parents in India and celebrates the diversity of actions, solutions and networks that have emerged on ground in response.
Maternity leave is the norm in India, but what about paternity leave? Sweden’s model of shared parental leave challenges outdated norms, making care a collective responsibility. In India, extended families already step in—what if policies supported them? Care is about presence and choice. How can we rethink it?
We say it takes a village—but where is the village now? As caregiving becomes more individualised and hidden, how do we reimagine care as a shared practice rather than an invisible burden?
Care work is the invisible backbone of our society—yet in India, it remains undervalued and unsupported. From overburdened Anganwadis to the shrinking number of crèches, caregivers navigate a fractured system with little institutional support. This piece explores the crisis, the systemic gaps, and what needs to change.
Why do we need to reclaim & build spaces for our kids? Anthill Creations elaborate on this and more.
Take a peek inside India’s innovative, DIY, sustainable playgrounds by Anthill Creations.
This detailed document gives an account of the research, insights, and inferences that led to the birth of Bachpan Manao Badhte Jao.
Jo McGowan-Chopra and Rupa Bishnoi of Latika share how inclusivity in early childhood care can go a long way in a person’s holistic development.
Experts in early childhood care and education share how India can better ensure that its children don’t fall behind.
How can libraries become spaces of play and learning? Read these transformative stories of librarians to find out.
Shankar Maruwada, CEO of EkStep Foundation, explains what India’s policymakers have in store for its children.
The Better India summarises what the Jaadui Pitaara, India’s play-based learning material for 3 to 8 year old children, is.
Anurag Behar, CEO of Azim Premji University, shares his views on India’s National Curriculum Framework – Foundational Stage.
Namya Mahajan, Co-founder of Rocket Learning, highlights the importance of involving parents in Anganwadi centers to enhance early childhood care and education.
Mangal Pandey, CEO of Key Education Foundation, advocates the transformation of Anganwadi Centers in India into vibrant learning spaces.
Rohini Nilekani, Founder of EkStep Foundation, underscores India’s unique opportunity to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy.
Shankar Maruwada, CEO of EkStep Foundation, emphasizes the opportunity for India to improve early childhood education as the child demographic decreases, stressing the need for diverse solutions.
Featured Tools
Stories don’t begin on the page—they begin in the pit of your stomach. In this evocative guide, Pankaj Mishra invites us to stop manufacturing narratives and instead tune in to the moments that won’t let us go. If you’re looking to write stories that stay, start by listening.
Devina; Mudito
Slate: a public resource for reflecting on childhood, care, and the spaces in between.
Involve
Curious to know about how to make Peer Teaching and Peer Learning a reality in your school? Check out this pocket book to find out!
Bachpan Manao Badhte Jao
Can you identify the learning moments as a child grows? Watch this short video on some moments of childhood that are significant in a child's growth
Childhood Workshop
Provocative questions and prompts that make you think deeper about the challenges in Early Childhood.
All Tools
Discover the magic of libraries through “Kathe Chikkappa,” a delightful story honoring librarians who inspire children with the joy of reading and storytelling.
Bachpan Ka Thyohaar is a storybook that celebrates Anganwadis as vibrant and joyful spaces of play and learning and a tribute to the communities nurturing childhood futures.
This FAQ explains how anyone can host a Voices of Play event and contribute to the National Play Manifesto, with simple steps and no special requirements.
Can Every Child Truly Belong in a Classroom?
Dhwani is more than a teacher’s manual—it’s a heartfelt, practical guide built by educators who’ve lived the challenges of inclusion. In this behind-the-scenes feature, discover the stories, struggles, and strategies that shaped Dhwani, and how it’s becoming a movement to reimagine Indian classrooms. Curious about what real inclusion looks like? Start here.
Stories don’t begin on the page—they begin in the pit of your stomach.
In this evocative guide, Pankaj Mishra invites us to stop manufacturing narratives and instead tune in to the moments that won’t let us go. If you’re looking to write stories that stay, start by listening.
Discover everyday play ideas for children up to 8 years—created by UNICEF India for International Day of Play 2024. These simple, joyful activities nurture learning and connection at home, and are available in 5 Indian languages. Because one hour of play each day can shape a child’s lifelong journey.
Slate: a public resource for reflecting on childhood, care, and the spaces in between.
What Happens When a Nervous Teacher Meets a Smart Chatbot?
Discover how the Nanna Sakhi app turned a moment of panic into a morning of discovery—and is quietly revolutionizing early childhood education across Anganwadis!
Discover three distinct caregiver personas from our research with e-Jaadui Pitaara app users—those who embrace technology, those who struggle, and those seeking balance. How does their approach shape a child’s learning? Dive into real-life insights on turning tech into a tool for empowerment.
Unlock the magic of storytelling with Read-Aloud Resources! Dive into a treasure trove of guides, videos, and tools that transform simple read-aloud sessions into unforgettable journeys of imagination and learning.
Curious to know about how to make Peer Teaching and Peer Learning a reality in your school? Check out this pocket book to find out!
Curious about how to celebrate a Bachpan Manao tyohar? Check out this template of ideas to know more.
Explore curricular goals as highlighted in the National Curriculum Framework – Foundational Stage
An AI powered chatbot trained on the National Curriculum Framework.
Pratham Books StoryWeaver’s #GetChildrenReading initiative curates storybooks, activities and more for the early childhood years.
Can you identify the learning moments as a child grows? Watch this short video on some moments of childhood that are significant in a child’s growth
प्रारंभिक वर्षों को समझने का नज़रिया
Buntings with quotes from ‘Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao’
Bookmarks from ‘Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao’
Stickers for books, electronic gadgets, and anywhere else you’d like to celebrate ‘Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao’
Provocative questions and prompts that make you think deeper about the challenges in Early Childhood.
How-to videos in English to engage with children in different ways.
A comprehensive framework that outlines the country’s vision and goals for education reform across various levels
A super connector to cross leverage ecosystem capabilities and catalyse innovation in skilling and education.
Check out this Indian government program focused on enhancing literacy and numeracy skills among school children.
A detailed framework and guide to how India can impart quality foundational stage education.
What do good libraries look like? How can you set up one yourself? Read this Starter kit to find out.
Why are the Early Years of a child so important? What can parents do to maximise the opportunity of these years? Read this report to find out and more.
Where is India in its journey of achieving Foundational Literacy and Numeracy? Check out the report to know more.
What are the benefits of reading aloud to children? And how do you conduct one? Check out this guide to find out.
What concepts are the foundation of Early Childhood? These Building Blocks provide answers that can transform early childhood approaches.
Featured Conversations
If play is a child’s right, shouldn’t their voices write the rules? Discover Voices of Play — where children are leading the way to a more joyful, playful world.
Bachpan Manao
Explore the First Songs Celebration – a joyful event that launched an archive of 100+ lullabies in 13 languages. Watch the recording and celebrate the power of singing in early childhood.
Aastha Patel; Vibha Iyer; The Observation Project
What do we miss when we assume children are still learning — and not already teaching? Read more.
Sana Aejaz; Educator Commune, Swetha Chakravarthi; Gyan Prakash Foundation, Aronee Ghosh; Dost Education, Saransh Vaswani; Saajha
How can technology spark playful learning at home and build stronger parent-child bonds? Discover stories and insights from those making it happen in Episode 22 of the Bachpan Manao Series.
What really happens to your brain when you become a parent? 🧠 In this powerful conversation, neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski busts myths about the "mommy brain" and dives into the fascinating neural changes in both moms and dads. From emotional intelligence to bonding hormones—this is parenting like you’ve never seen it before.
All Conversations
Climate is not abstract for children; it’s a flooded playground, a vanished fruit, a trek to the jhum fields. At our Bachpan Baithak during India Climate Week, voices reminded us that resilience, stories, and everyday noticing are central to imagining child-friendly climate futures.
This edition of the Slate Scribbles captures Hema’s visits to a few Balwadi’s in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu.
This edition of the Slate Sribbles is a glimpse of the field visit to sites where Jatan Sansthan implements work related to Early Childhood.
Unlearning Childhood is a new series from the Bachpan Manao team, part of our ongoing attempt to pause and look again. It draws from observations, conversations, and everyday encounters in the field, moments that made us question things we thought we already knew.
If play is a child’s right, shouldn’t their voices write the rules? Discover Voices of Play — where children are leading the way to a more joyful, playful world.
Explore the First Songs Celebration – a joyful event that launched an archive of 100+ lullabies in 13 languages. Watch the recording and celebrate the power of singing in early childhood.
What do we miss when we assume children are still learning — and not already teaching? Read more.
How can technology spark playful learning at home and build stronger parent-child bonds? Discover stories and insights from those making it happen in Episode 22 of the Bachpan Manao Series.
Explore a curated list of podcasts, articles, and research on how parenting reshapes the brain—covering maternal mental health, perinatal neuroscience, and the emotional realities of caregiving.
What really happens to your brain when you become a parent? 🧠
In this powerful conversation, neuroscientist Dr. Jodi Pawluski busts myths about the “mommy brain” and dives into the fascinating neural changes in both moms and dads. From emotional intelligence to bonding hormones—this is parenting like you’ve never seen it before.
How can we better support children’s ideal childhoods?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, Parul Sheth, Ashish Srivastava, and Archana Mohan share reflections on children’s perspectives, the power of play, fostering agency, and the importance of listening and creating safe spaces.
Can play transform learning?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, Srinidhi Lakshmanan, Helen Issar, and Swetha Guhan share perspectives on the power of play-based learning and how it shapes mindsets, environments, and assessments.
Do children with disabilities play?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, listen to insights from Jo Chopra McGowan and Sonali Saini about how play can be made more accessible.
Does play foster learning?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, listen to insights from initiatives of Pratham Education Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation and EduWeave Foundation.
Want to know where Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao came from?
In this episode of the Educators’ Commune Podcast, Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships at EkStep Foundation, introduces the Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao initiative sharing insights and stories on how this came to be and what the future holds in store.
Beautifully illustrated conversations, by Dinesh Francis, from the Childhood Workshop that sum it all up.
Explore a rich tapestry of insights from childhood development experts, illustrated by Dinesh Francis, revealing the future of education.
Librarians as changemakers? Watch a short clip showcasing the transformation of public libraries by the amazing librarians of Karnataka!
Shankar Maruwada, CEO of EkStep Foundation, explains what India’s policymakers have in store for its children.
What do parents have to share about the first time their children spoke, ate, or did something new on their own? Watch this heartwarming video and find out.
How does the child experience the world? What and who does she learn from? Can your recognise her learning moments?
Do parents thinks learning and play are linked? Prof. Venita Kaul, Professor Emerita (Education) at Ambedkar University, Delhi, sheds light on this.
Does the practice of reframing change our perspectives? Jo Chopra-McGowan, Executive Director of the Latika Roy Foundation, elaborates on this.
Is the medium irrelevant if the message is strong? Bharat Bevinahally, Co-Founder of the Kutuki Learning App, conveys his views.
Is it okay for children to be obsessed with a topic? Helen Issar, Founder of Papagoya Education, shares more on this.
Does a mother’s mental health affect the child? Dr. Shoba Srinath, former Head of Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, responds.
Do parents understand compentencies? Sashwati Banerjee, Founding Director of Humanitus, addresses this crucial question.
What should curriculum focus on? Dr. Rukmini Banerji, CEO of Pratham Education Foundation, shares her views.
Why is a flexible curriculum necessary? Listen to Nomita Sikand, Co-founder of Gubbachi Learning Community, and find out why.
Are public urban spaces designed keeping young children and their caregivers in mind? Find out more from Rushda Majeed, Chief Program Officer of Van Leer Foundation.
Are we in a hurry to turn children into students? Watch the video and discover insights that were unearthed at the Early Childhood Workshop, 2022
Did you know that children learn by shadowing their parents? Watch the video to understand the influence of parental behavior on children’s development.
Do you think invested parenting is only about teaching a child literacy or numeracy? Watch the video for the answer and more.
Featured Research
A research report based on interviews with Individuals with disability, their caregivers and educational experts working in the sector to understand their experiences with inclusion - the challenges they face and the possibilities for changing this narrative.
Dr. Jodi Pawluski
Explore a curated list of podcasts, articles, and research on how parenting reshapes the brain—covering maternal mental health, perinatal neuroscience, and the emotional realities of caregiving.
Devina; Mudito
In a city that often overlooks its invisible workers, who notices how their children arrive—tired, hungry, hopeful? What does it take to make learning possible before the lessons even begin?
Reshma Bachwani, Illume
Illume’s research uncovers the layered realities of educating rescued children in shelter homes. It’s an invitation to raise the level of conversation—beyond access or literacy—towards healing, agency, and whole-child learning in the most adverse and diverse circumstances.
Gowda VK, Ravi Kumar CP, Goyal R, and Sidhwani S
This journal article examines the role of intuitive learning in early childhood and emphasizes the importance of integrating it into education to foster innovative thinking.
All Research
What keeps children fed, safe, and learning each day? Not policies or budgets, but the invisible ledgers of care that caregivers balance: time, money, dignity, and joy. Our study shows these everyday acts are not side notes, but the true infrastructure of childhood.
What if every policy, budget, and building plan began with one simple question: who is holding the child?
INDIA CARES is an invitation to see care as the foundation of childhood, the atmosphere children grow within, and the fabric that holds us all together.
A research report based on interviews with Individuals with disability, their caregivers and educational experts working in the
sector to understand their experiences with inclusion – the challenges they face and the possibilities for changing this narrative.
A tender, rain-soaked reflection on how caregivers quietly adapt, anticipate, and hold others through the everyday storms of the monsoon.
What does a lullaby reveal about who gets to care, and who stays silent?
In the hills of Coorg, where coffee flowers bloom and paths vanish in rain, caregiving hums like an old lullaby—steady, unseen, everywhere.
Rethinking care beyond joint and nuclear families—towards shared, intentional, community-rooted models.
What if the future of childhood care isn’t about scaling models, but about scaling trust—one neighbourhood at a time?
What happens when care drifts across generations—slowly, silently, and systemically?
Explore a curated list of podcasts, articles, and research on how parenting reshapes the brain—covering maternal mental health, perinatal neuroscience, and the emotional realities of caregiving.
In a city that often overlooks its invisible workers, who notices how their children arrive—tired, hungry, hopeful? What does it take to make learning possible before the lessons even begin?
Illume’s research uncovers the layered realities of educating rescued children in shelter homes. It’s an invitation to raise the level of conversation—beyond access or literacy—towards healing, agency, and whole-child learning in the most adverse and diverse circumstances.
Discover three distinct caregiver personas from our research with e-Jaadui Pitaara app users—those who embrace technology, those who struggle, and those seeking balance. How does their approach shape a child’s learning? Dive into real-life insights on turning tech into a tool for empowerment.
Fathers and play—two words not often linked, yet a study reveals that Indian fathers cherish playing with their young children the most. Could it be that they instinctively know what science confirms—that play is essential for a child’s growth, learning, and emotional well-being?
Why Free Play? This video highlights the benefits of free play, drawing connections between fiction and real-life child growth.
Does India’s legal and policy framework provide inclusive education for children with disabilities? Explore this report to learn about policy gaps and recommendations for inclusive education in India.
This journal article examines the role of intuitive learning in early childhood and emphasizes the importance of integrating it into education to foster innovative thinking.
This journal article explores the impact of nonlinear and play-based learning interventions in promoting holistic growth and flexible, child-centered learning.
This report addresses India’s need for improved Early Childhood Education (ECE) per the National Education Policy 2020.
EkStep and it’s ecosystem partners (over 35+ participants) together systematically gathered insights from the field. Here’s a glimpse.
Shankar Maruwada, CEO of EkStep Foundation, emphasizes the opportunity for India to improve early childhood education as the child demographic decreases, stressing the need for diverse solutions.
Are Anganwadi Workers equipped to teach the youngest of our children, Rocket Learning’s study sheds light on this and more.
What do fathers think about preschool education? Find out more from Probex’s research on fathers’ beliefs and challenges in engaging with their preschool-age children.
Do the professional development opportunities available for Early Educators address their needs and challenges? Key Education Foundation’s study on this provides remarkable insights.
How many different kinds of primary caregivers are there? Illume’s research lets us know.
What are the different attitudes, aspirations, and challenges of primary caregivers? Illume’s research sheds light on this.
What concepts are the foundation of Early Childhood? These Building Blocks provide answers that can transform early childhood approaches.
Featured Projects
Reflections on Cohort 1 of the FactorDaily–Bachpan Manao Storytelling Fellowship
Bachpan Manao
What songs do families sing to their little ones across India? First Songs brings together lullabies in many languages—and invites you to listen, read, and share your own. Discover the quiet magic of early childhood at firstsongs.billionreaders.org.
Adhyayan Foundation
Unlock the magic of storytelling with Read-Aloud Resources! Dive into a treasure trove of guides, videos, and tools that transform simple read-aloud sessions into unforgettable journeys of imagination and learning.
Pratham Books Storyweaver
Pratham Books StoryWeaver’s #GetChildrenReading initiative curates storybooks, activities and more for the early childhood years.
Dost Education
Discover the magic of everyday moments with Baatein Sneh Khel. This platform reveals how simple acts of talk, care, and play can unlock a world of learning and growth for young children.
All Projects
The Voices of Teaching conference (2024) by Simple Education Foundation and Bachpan Manao created a platform for teachers to share their stories from the classroom — moments of joy, care, and change. This report brings their voices forward, inspiring us to listen, learn, and act together for every child’s growth.
Reflections on Cohort 1 of the FactorDaily–Bachpan Manao Storytelling Fellowship
What songs do families sing to their little ones across India? First Songs brings together lullabies in many languages—and invites you to listen, read, and share your own. Discover the quiet magic of early childhood at firstsongs.billionreaders.org.
Sandhya Gupta and Prapti Bhasin ask us to imagine – What if math wasn’t a subject to fear, but a skill we already use? “Moms for Math” celebrates the everyday math in parenting, turning routines into joyful learning experiences for children.
Hear directly from children as they redefine play, question adult expectations, and share how they navigate a world with shrinking play spaces.
Did you know anyone can be an Art Facilitator?
Dive into the Creative Art Express videos!
As part of the campaign, GramVaani broadcasted 46 diverse episodes from the BMBJ network via their IVR platforms, reaching rural Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. You can access the IVRS content through here.
Unlock the magic of storytelling with Read-Aloud Resources! Dive into a treasure trove of guides, videos, and tools that transform simple read-aloud sessions into unforgettable journeys of imagination and learning.
Do we know what early childhood looks like in India?
#ChildhoodDialogues is a space designed for capturing ideas, showcasing efforts, and enabling conversations around early childhood looks like in India today.
Pratham Books StoryWeaver’s #GetChildrenReading initiative curates storybooks, activities and more for the early childhood years.
How-to videos in English to engage with children in different ways.
Discover the magic of everyday moments with Baatein Sneh Khel. This platform reveals how simple acts of talk, care, and play can unlock a world of learning and growth for young children.
Step into the world of Librarians of India, where stories of transformation come alive. Discover how librarians are turning libraries into vibrant spaces of learning, inclusion, and community impact across the nation.
A microsite by The Better India that creates a space for dialogues around Early Childhood in India.
)
