Training focuses on play-based learning, early childhood development and inclusive education
Shimla: Samagra Shiksha is organising a five-day state-level capacity-building workshop for Key Resource Persons (KRPs) under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme to improve the quality of pre-primary education in Himachal Pradesh.
The workshop is being held at the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Cooperative Staff Training Institute (ACSTI), Sangti, Summer Hill, Shimla. In the first phase, resource persons and district coordinators from Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Kinnaur, Mandi and Lahaul-Spiti are participating.
The training focuses on early childhood brain development and the developmental characteristics of children in the three-to-six-year age group. Special emphasis is being laid on providing age-appropriate learning opportunities to promote children’s physical, cognitive, language and literacy, socio-emotional, aesthetic and cultural development.
Participants are also being trained in creating child-friendly learning environments that encourage curiosity, creativity and holistic development.
Focus on Play-Based and Activity-Based Learning
Special sessions are being conducted on activity-based and play-based teaching methodologies. Participants are learning techniques such as free play, storytelling, creative activities and experiential learning to make classroom teaching engaging and enjoyable for young children.
The workshop also provides practical guidance on the effective use of the Himvatika Planner and Himvatika Kit to make pre-primary classroom activities more interactive and aligned with children’s interests.
Sessions are also focusing on identifying children with special needs, understanding their educational requirements and developing inclusive classroom environments. Strategies to address learning barriers and ensure the participation of every child are being discussed.
Special Session on ‘Pehli Shikshak-Maa’ Initiative
A dedicated session will also focus on the state’s ambitious ‘Pehli Shikshak-Maa’ initiative, which aims to strengthen the role of mothers in early childhood education and ensure continuity of learning between home and school.
Training is also being provided to improve coordination between teachers and ayahs/helpers in pre-primary classrooms and ensure the smooth conduct of children’s daily activities.
ECCE Consultant Dilip Verma from Samagra Shiksha, along with Archana Singh, Alishba, Kuldeep Pundir, Kewal Krishan, Jagriti Sharma, Rubina and Purushottam Thakur from the Pratham Education Foundation, are participating as key resource persons.
On the concluding day, the participating KRPs will prepare action plans and frameworks for conducting district-level training programmes. They will subsequently play a key role in training ayahs/helpers at the block level and mothers under the ‘Pehli Shikshak-Maa’ initiative.
The programme aims to strengthen the foundation of early childhood education in the state through improved teaching practices, community participation and holistic child development.
