Gautam Buddh Nagar | March 17, 2026 — For the first time in the district, an innovative early childhood learning festival titled “Aao Bachpan Manayein” was आयोजित at Panchayatan village, Greater Noida, bringing together over 300 participants.
- Strong Community Participation
- The event witnessed participation from:
- Children and parents
- Community members
- School teachers and principals
- Anganwadi workers and सहायिकाएँ
- Supervisors and ICDS officials
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Sandhya Soni
The festival was organised by LECIN in partnership with “Bachpan Manaao”, an initiative of the EkStep Foundation.
Learning Through Play and Experience
The main objective of the festival was to demonstrate how children learn through play, interaction, and real-life experiences, and to help communities better understand early childhood development.
The programme began with a welcome circle and an energetic flash mob by children, followed by a welcome address by Anganwadi worker Nirmala Ji.
Interactive Learning Activities
Various activity zones were set up where children and parents participated together. These included:
Traditional toy-making workshops
Clay modelling activities
Story reading and storytelling by children
Free play and physical games
Imaginative and creative play
Children also narrated their favourite story “Baingani Jojo”, adding a joyful touch to the event.
Cultural Performances Add Vibrancy
A special highlight of the festival was the participation of local community members, who performed traditional songs and music using instruments, creating a festive and lively atmosphere.
Showcasing Children’s Learning Journey
The event also displayed learning portfolios of Anganwadi children, showcasing how they are learning:
- Numbers and words
- Reading and writing
- Social and cognitive skills
All through play-based and activity-based learning methods.
First-of-Its-Kind Initiative in the District
This was the first such early learning festival in Gautam Buddh Nagar, with such large-scale participation from both the community and educators.
Since 2023, LECIN has been working in Anganwadi centres across villages including Panchayatan, Kasna, Khanpur, Sirsa, Ladpura, and Azampur Garhi, focusing on school readiness of children.
Future Plans for Early Education
Officials informed that a pilot programme for Class 1 will be launched in Panchayatan School in the upcoming academic session.
The initiative aims to:
Build strong foundational learning
Improve early education outcomes
Promote holistic child development
The festival served as a live demonstration of children’s learning journey, reinforcing the importance of early childhood education.
