Shillong, Sep 5: The first ‘Play to Learn’ Summit was organised in Shillong on Tuesday, highlighting the crucial role of play in children’s overall development.
The Summit was presented by the state government, Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission (MECDM) and Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project (MHSSP) in collaboration with Sesame Workshop India Trust with funding support from SBI Foundation and the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance.
Meghalaya is carrying out an Early Childhood Development Mission, which is the first of its kind initiative in the country. The main goal of the mission is to maximise the lifelong potential of children by providing the key development support required in the critical “early years”: from conception to eight years of age.
As part of this initiative, Sesame Workshop India, with support from the MHSSP, is providing technical and implementation support to the ECD Mission in designing and developing an integrated ECD model.
In a video message to the organisers of the summit, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “I firmly believe in the importance of play in early childhood education. The Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission is dedicated to nurturing a child’s holistic growth during their formative years.”
He emphasised the incorporation of evidence-based methods such as positive parenting and joyful learning, complemented by enhanced nutrition and cognitive stimulation.
