The newly announced National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) 2024 emphasizes competency-based learning through playful activities, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 to prepare children for primary education.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has unveiled plans to introduce a national early childhood care and education curriculum targeting children aged three to six. Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, this initiative recognizes the critical role of early childhood in a child's development, aiming to bolster India's early childhood care and education framework. With 85 per cent of brain development occurring before age six, programs like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, supported by Palna and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), will provide comprehensive childcare support, including a safe environment, nutritional assistance, and holistic development activities for both mothers and children under six.
The newly announced National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) 2024 emphasizes competency-based learning through playful activities, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 to prepare children for primary education. Additionally, the National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 aims to equip caregivers and Anganwadi workers with the knowledge and tools for optimal early stimulation, focusing on principles such as 'serve and return' and 'love, talk, play' for holistic child development.
These documents, prepared by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), have incorporated feedback from Anganwadi workers to ensure flexibility and effectiveness. NIPCCD will also conduct training sessions for Anganwadi functionaries on the new curriculum and framework, with the goal of transforming every Anganwadi centre into a vibrant learning hub for children across the country.