The Women and Child Development Ministry announced plans to launch a national curriculum for early childhood care and education, targeting children aged three to six. This curriculum, along with a national framework for early childhood stimulation for children from birth to three years, is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, recognising the crucial role of early childhood in a child’s development.
The ministry aims to enhance India’s early childhood care and education framework, considering that 85 percent of brain development occurs before age six. Initiatives 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 secure environment, nutritional support, and holistic development activities for mothers and children under six.
The National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) 2024 emphasises competency-based learning through playful activities, aligning with the National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage 2022 to prepare children for primary education. The National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024 aims to empower caregivers and Anganwadi workers with knowledge and tools for optimal early stimulation, focusing on principles like ‘serve and return’ and ‘love, talk, play’ for holistic child development.
Prepared by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), both documents incorporate feedback from Anganwadi workers to ensure flexibility and effectiveness. NIPCCD will also train Anganwadi functionaries on the new curriculum and framework, aiming to transform every Anganwadi centre into a vibrant learning hub for children nationwide.
