Navchetana: The Activity-Based Curriculum

Context

The National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 has introduced an activity-based curriculum for parents, anganwadis (childcare centers) and ASHA workers in India. 

• This curriculum is titled “Navchetana,”.
  • It  emphasizes that a child’s learning journey begins from birth and extends up to the age of three. 

About Navchetana

• This curriculum follows National Education Policy 2020.
• It provides detailed information on the importance of brain development  during the crucial first three years, when 75% of the brain develops.
• It provides month-by-month activities to be conducted by parents, anganwadi staff, and ASHA workers  and ensures holistic development of children  through purposeful activities.  
  • The curriculum involves a range of activities, including:
    • Talking: Encouraging communication with children.
    • Playing: Engaging children in play-based learning.
    • Moving: Promoting physical activity.
    • Listening to Music and Sounds: Enhancing auditory perception.
    • Sensory Stimulation: Focusing on sight and touch.
• Objective:  It aims to stimulate growth in language, literacy, numeracy, and sensory skills of new child. 
• Training for Staff: Over 14 lakh, anganwadi staff will be given training on implementing the curriculum.
• Framework Development:
  • An internal committee, comprising representatives from various ministries and organizations, finalized the framework.
  • Organizations are the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,Institute of Home Economics, Delhi University, etc.
• Instructions for caregivers and frontline workers
  • Parents and caregivers play a vital role in implementing the curriculum. Thus, Specific instructions guide caregivers in:
    • Capturing the Child’s Attention
    • Communicating with the Child
    • Introducing Age-Appropriate Play Activities
    • Following the Child’s Lead
    • Providing Positive Reinforcement

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Developmental Activities for Children

• Infancy (0-12 months):

  • It promotes the use of everyday items like cups, bottles, and fabric remnants.
  • Activities focus on basic skills like reaching for objects, making sounds by imitating, and manipulating objects such as putting objects in and out of a jar and removing knots in a handkerchief in the first year.

• Toddlerhood (12-24 months):

  • As children grow, they would be encouraged to feed themselves and explore their surroundings.
    • They can engage in the kitchen, play with dough, and see themselves in a mirror.
  • At around 18 months, children would be  encouraged to start scribbling with crayons, fostering early creativity.

• Preschool Years (24-36 months):

  • By 24 months, activities will focus on teaching children to sort and match items like shoes.
  • At age three, children are introduced to riding a cycle, practicing saying their names, and identifying colors, laying the groundwork for further cognitive and motor skill development.

Benefits of the Activity-Based Curriculum

The activity-based curriculum outlined in the National Framework of Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 offers several benefits:

• Promotes Early Brain Development: The curriculum emphasizes activities during the crucial first three years, when 75% of the brain develops.
• Supports Multiple Developmental Areas: Activities target various skills like language, literacy, numeracy, and social interaction.
• Uses Readily Available Materials: Activities mentioned in the framework uses simple household objects which  make it accessible and affordable.
• Identifies Developmental Delays: By following the age-appropriate activities, potential delays can be recognized and addressed.

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