For Rajesh, a daily wage labourer in Andhra Pradesh, time with his five-year-old daughter Reshma is precious. Working long hours, he worried he was missing too much of her childhood.
Like every parent, Rajesh wanted to give his daughter the best possible start. What he hadn’t realised was how much simple, everyday moments – a story after work or a few minutes learning through play – could support her development.
In Kakinada, the Government is improving 108 Anganwadi centres. But better buildings alone are not enough. The quality of the interactions around young children are key.
India’s Integrated Child Development Services system operates through around 1.4 million Anganwadi centres, reaching millions of children and families.Ìý
Yet the quality of early learning and responsive caregiving remains inconsistent. Dost Education’s work also shows that only one in 10 fathers in rural India reports taking part every day in activities such as reading or playing with their child.Ìý
Dost Education, working with Apollo Total Health and supported by sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ as part of their Ready to Learn programme, is bringing a practical early-learning approach to 108 Model Anganwadi Centres, designed to reach around 15,000 families and 30,000 children.
At one of the Fathers’ Meetings, Rajesh discovered Talk, Care and Play – and realised that even with limited time, he could make a difference.
Rajesh began telling Reshma stories and turning household objects into opportunities to learn and play. Soon, he saw her curiosity and confidence grow.
Inspired by the difference he saw, Rajesh shared his experience at the next Fathers’ Meeting, encouraging other fathers to get involved too.
One father discovering the power of play became one father inspiring others.
They learn so many new things through play. It is so important to play with your child.- Rajesh, Reshma’s father
Through co-design, capacity-building, technical support and peer learning, we help partners like Dost Education strengthen proven local approaches and create opportunities to scale.Ìý
Its Tech+Touch, Talk Care Play model strengthens the three environments around a child: home, Anganwadi centres and community.Ìý
Parents receive practical, local-language activities for everyday routines. Anganwadi Workers receive training to embed playful learning into their work. And family meetings create opportunities for more caregivers to get involved.Ìý
The project shows parents how to use household items to encourage teaching at home
Through Ready to Learn, sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ helps partners like Dost Education take proven local ideas further.Ìý
By supporting sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, you can help more families turn everyday moments into opportunities to learn – giving more children the strongest possible start in life.Ìý
