Context: Recently, 'Jadui Pitara' -a play-based learning-teaching material tailored for children between the age group of 3-8 years has been launched.

Key Points

• It is designed to pique curiosity and accommodate the diverse needs of learners in the foundational stage.

• It is developed under the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and is available in 13 Indian languages.

• It comprises of playbooks, toys, puzzles, posters, flashcards, storybooks, and worksheets reflecting the local culture, social context, and languages.

Features of 'Jaadui Pitara'

• The CORE transformative aspect of NCF-FS - 'learn through Play'

• Foundational Stage (FS) (ages 3-8) - learn best and effectively through Play

• Research from fields as diverse as Neurosciences to Education

• This applies to Class 1 & 2 also (ages 6-8)

• Learning and Development in 5 domains: Physical Development, Socio-emotional and Ethical Development, Cognitive Development, Language and Literacy Development, Aesthetic and Cultural Development.

• Positive Learning Habits has been included as another domain of development at this stage.

• It is a giant leap towards enriching the learning-teaching environment and making it more child-centric, lively, and joyful for the Amrit Generation as envisioned in the NEP 2020.

• Notably, The National Education Policy 2020 envisages 5+3+3+4 curriculum pedagogical structure.

• The Department of School Education & Literacy under Ministry of Education has constituted a National Steering Committee headed by Prof. K. Kasturirangan to develop the National Curriculum Framework for each of the stages.