With early childhood education in mind, Thangjam Gaitri, founder of Transversal Kids, aims to introduce innovative methods and joyful learning from an early age of children.
TFM Report
November 14 was observed as Children’s Day remembering the affection of India’s first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru towards children on his birth anniversary. While the discussions around Nehru’s legacy dominated, the focus on children seems to have taken a backseat.
Acknowledging the importance of learning from an early age, some conscious parents expose their wards to different methods of learning.
At present, children in the age group of 3-6 are not covered in the 10+2 structure as Class 1 begins at age 6. However, the new National Education Policy, 2020 is based on a 5+3+3+4 structure wherein a strong base of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3 is also included, which aims to help in promoting better learning, development and the overall well-being of children.
According to Preeti Kwatra, founder and director of Petals India’s Pre School Club, ECCE ideally consists of flexible, multi-faceted, multi-level, play-based, activity-based, and inquiry-based learning concepts which comprise alphabets, languages, numbers, counting, colours, shapes, indoor and outdoor play.
Puzzles, logical thinking, problem-solving, drawing, painting and other visual art, craft, drama, and puppetry, music and movement are integral parts of the concepts. It also includes a focus on developing social capacities, sensitivity, good behaviour, courtesy, ethics, personal and public cleanliness, teamwork and cooperation.
“The major aim of ECCE is to attain optimal outcomes in the domains of physical and motor development, cognitive development, socio-emotional-ethical development, cultural/artistic development, and the development of communication and early language, literacy, and numeracy,” she maintained.
With early childhood education in mind, Thangjam Gaitri, founder of Transversal Kids, aims to introduce innovative methods and joyful learning from an early age of children.
“Early childhood education in Manipur is very poor,” she told TFM.
Gaitri’s first attempt in making her contribution is in the form of “Flash-cards”, depicting different plants, animals, alphabets of different tribes, amongst others, in their own language.
Interaction is a crucial part in the development of early childhood — between six months to 6-7 years — she said. “We are finalising the product and aim to launch in December,” she added.
A fellow at the Teach For North-East, a non-profit organisation, Gaitri has been volunteering and taking classes at Kasom Khullen High School, Kamjong district, Manipur, for the past one year.
“Flash-cards are very popular in western countries, not just for kids but for adults as well. One of the advantages of it is the opportunity for the parents to interact with their kids at home and learn along the way,” she said.
Stating that being around children and interacting with them has always fascinated her, Gaitri said that she aims to come up with different methods and contribute to early childhood education in the state.