Context: Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) released the National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education 2024 titled ‘Aadharshila,’ on the lines of the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework. 

About National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education 2024

• Aadharshila (translated as foundation stone) is a detailed 48-week curriculum meant for learning in the age group of three to six-year-olds in anganwadis. 

• It has been finalized by an internal committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Department of School Education and Literacy, the Ministry of Education, the NCERT, the Institute of Home Economics, Delhi University, and civil society organisations.

Objective

• Empower caregivers and Anganwadi Workers for holistic early stimulation.

• Promote optimal development of children, focusing on body and brain development.

Conceptual Framework

• Based on the Nurturing Care Framework.

• Fills conceptual and practical gaps in understanding care and stimulation.

Features

• The curriculum includes a weekly based play calendar with four weeks of initiation that include academic activities which help children transition from home to anganwadi centre by engaging them in fun and free play.

• The next 36 weeks are spent exploring, free play, conversation, creation and appreciation, reflection that involves various activities, including storytelling, singing rhymes, art and craft, and so on.

• Storytelling themes revolve around conflict resolution, taking responsibility, and working with and helping others.

• Children learn about colours, shapes, numbers, the use of senses, body parts, family and friends, listening and responding to instructions, basic counting, imitating and recognizing sounds, themes like seasons, festivals, food, and so on. 

• The last eight weeks are spent in recap and reinforcing the learnings of previous weeks with worksheets and observation of kid’s performance. 

• Activities and time table are segregated age-wise, with detailed requirement of materials needed, age-appropriate specifications, variation, notes for teachers, targeted curricular goals and competency that children achieve, and observing children’s interests. 

• Children from the age three to six attend anganwadi in what is a mixed crowd. The curriculum targets at least 48 weeks of learning in the duration of three years. 

• The curriculum helps in developing listening skill, vocabulary building, boosting imagination, narration, following instructions, creativity, social development, developing self-expression and self-esteem, which will help a child to easily transition into Grade 1.

• A special focus has been given for the screening, inclusion, and referrals of Divyang children in every activity.

• The national framework for three to six years will serve as a base for States to develop their own culturally appropriate curriculum seen as a solution to tackle later school challenges of children. 

In a nutshell,

• It outlines a comprehensive set of activities designed to foster holistic development in children from birth to the age of three.

• This framework is aligned with the National Education Policy, 2020, which emphasizes a continuum of learning from the early years.

Developmental Milestones and Activities

• The framework emphasizes the importance of engaging children in activities that stimulate their senses and promote cognitive, language, and motor skills development.

• Activities include talking to the child, playing, moving, listening to music, and engaging in sensory stimulation, particularly focusing on sight and touch.

• To cater to the specific developmental needs of children at different stages, the framework provides a month-by-month guide.

• For instance, in the first year, activities involve reaching for objects, imitating sounds, and exploring different textures using household items like cups, bottles, and fabric pieces.

• As the child grows, activities progress to more complex tasks such as feeding themselves, playing with dough, and sorting objects.

Training and Implementation

• Implementation of the framework involves training staff in the 14 lakh anganwadis across the country.

• This training aims to equip caregivers, including parents, anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers, with the knowledge and skills to conduct the prescribed activities effectively.

• By following the guidelines provided in the framework, caregivers can create a stimulating environment that supports the child's overall development.

Early Identification of Developmental Delays

• One of the key benefits of the framework is its focus on early identification of developmental delays.

• By engaging children in age-appropriate activities, caregivers can observe their development closely and identify any delays.

• In such cases, the framework provides guidance on adapting activities to suit the child's needs, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and intervention at an early stage.

Conclusion

• The National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation, 2024, serves as a comprehensive guide for caregivers to promote optimal development in children during the crucial early years.

• By emphasizing the importance of early learning and providing practical guidance, the framework aims to lay a strong foundation for children's future learning and success.