Women and Child Development Minister (WCD) Ms Atishi interacted with 5000+ Anganwadi workers from across Delhi and motivated them to spearhead the revolution in Anganwadi centers.
During the interaction, Ms Atishi said, “It is such a pleasure to see a huge number of Anganwadi workers gathering together for the cause of education. It gives me hope that we will work together to give a brighter future to every child in Delhi. This educational kit is no less than a magician’s box, which has many play items and interesting books for the holistic development of children.”
She added that this kit has been designed after in-depth research and is based on the principles of how children adapt and learn. It includes interesting books, puzzles, games, paints, and toys to help children learn through fun activities. Often, when there are children in the family or in acquaintances, people buy expensive toys and books for them. But those children who attend Anganwadis often come from a very poor background, and their parents or families are not able to afford expensive gifts or toys for them. “So I am happy that such an interesting early childhood education kit has reached every Anganwadi of Delhi to ensure the holistic development of children attending them,” said Ms. Atishi.
The WCD Minister said, “Every Anganwadi worker present here knows how curious children are at the age of 1-6 years when they attend Anganwadi. They are curious to know about everything around them. We are often not able to provide enough games and cognitive development resources at the Anganwadis, hindering their growth and learning potential. Research shows that the maximum brain development of a child happens during the age of 0-6 years. So it is the responsibility of every Anganwadi worker to decide whether children coming out of their Anganwadi center will become the next APJ Abdul Kalam, Kalpana Chawla, AR Rahman, or Rabindra Nath Tagore. This is a very big responsibility for them.”
She added that after attending this orientation, every Anganwadi worker should think of children in their centers as the future of the nation and focus on their holistic development. Reiterating the announcements made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during the launch of the kit on Thursday, Ms. Atishi said, “As promised by the CM, like Delhi government school teachers, now we will send our Anganwadi workers too for training in national and international institutions. Secondly, we will try our best to decrease the workload on Anganwadi workers by keeping them focused on work related to women and children only so that they can prioritize the children’s development.”
The WCD Minister added that the government, under the leadership of CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal, had done the same thing in 2015 for Delhi Government Schools. It was ensured that teachers spent most of their time in classrooms. Now, the government wants the Anganwadi workers to dedicate their full time to children instead of any work outside Anganwadi.
She said, “As everyone is well aware of the fact that the Delhi Education Model is being appreciated all over the world. Many people from all over the world come to take inspiration from our model. I am sure that with the kind of enthusiasm our Anganwadi workers have today, very soon people from all over the world will come to see our Anganwadi centres and their work too.”
It is to be noted that the ‘Khel Pitara’ kits launched by the Kejriwal Government will be distributed across 11,000 Anganwadi centers in Delhi, with 7,500 centers having already received the kits. This kit is a valuable tool for fostering holistic development among young learners. By engaging children in diverse activities, such as cognitive games, physical play, and interactive storytelling, the kit supports the development of cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and language skills, laying a strong foundation for their overall growth. Through hands-on, interactive, and exploratory play, the kit enhances creativity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking in children. Additionally, the social interaction and collaboration that occurs when children play together contribute to the development of important social skills like sharing, communication, and teamwork.
What “Khel Pitara” Kit Includes
-> Manipulatives: Lacing tool, sand and trays, playdough and equipment, geoboard and rubber band, connecting blocks, beads and thread, connecting straws, nesting toys, flexi wires, buttoning and zipping frame, and jumbo nut bolts (construction kit).
-> Visual Reading: Storybooks, tactile cards, story cards, posters, alphabet books, and flashcards.
-> Models: Toy sets, magnifying glasses, musical instruments, puppets, and double-sided slates.
-> Puzzles and Games: Building blocks, balls, sports equipment, and jigsaw puzzles.
-> Stationery: Plastic crayons, origami sheets, paint brushes, child-friendly scissors, poster colors, glitter tubes, and googly eyes.
-> An important addition to the kit is the ECCE Manual, which provides comprehensive guidance on the usage of each material.
