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Category: SAFE SPACE

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
April 16, 2025

Cooking Up Skills Through Play With Little Chefs

It all began with a simple craving — a craving for pizza. But this time, it wasn’t just about eating it. It was about making it. Together.

The idea sparked during playtime, as the children chatted about their favourite foods, and just like that, they decided to make their own pizza and the game was on. 

What followed was no ordinary kitchen activity — it was an adventure led entirely by the children, powered by imagination, curiosity, and joy. First, they huddled together to list all the ingredients they would need. Tomatoes, cheese, onions, bell peppers… the list grew longer with every excited suggestion.

Then came the expedition. With shopping lists and bags in hand, the little team set off to the vegetable market, the dairy, and even a nearby supermarket. They asked questions, compared prices, bargained shyly, and learned how to choose the freshest produce. The bags were heavy, but not one complaint was heard — because they carried them together.

Back home, play turned into purpose. Sleeves rolled up, hands washed, and vegetables rinsed. Some chopped while others debated the best topping combinations. It was messy, noisy, but perfect. Each child had a role, and every task was a tiny triumph — from slicing mushrooms to spreading sauce just right. They took turns, shared tools, and offered encouragement. 

When the pizzas were finally ready, they gathered around like proud chefs at a grand feast. It wasn’t just about the taste — it was about the journey. The teamwork, the creativity, the hands-on problem-solving. And the play.

This wasn’t a structured lesson. There were no worksheets, no formal instructions. Yet, in that afternoon of pretend play turned into a real-life project, they learned more than any textbook could offer — how to collaborate, communicate, plan, adapt, and most of all, how to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

This activity reminded us that play is not separate from learning — it is learning. 

Written with inputs from Vijay Suryavanshi, a longtime volunteer at The Opentree Foundation and a supporter of play and play-based learning.  

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
April 14, 2025

Play, Practice, Checkmate: How Play Sessions Sparked Mansi’s Rise to State-Level Chess

Mansi (name changed) is a Class 7 student at the Zilla Parishad Primary School in Wanwada, Latur. Mansi lives with her siblings, grandparents and parents, who are farmers.

While she is average in academics, she has a keen interest in extracurricular activities. In June 2024, when we introduced play sessions in her school, she was instantly fascinated with the game of chess. She did not know how to play it and had asked other groups in class if she could join them, but they refused, as they all knew the game and had formed their groups. She was still determined to learn it. Though it seemed complex at first, with all its intricate rules and movements, Mansi started observing the other students and tried understanding the game. She learned the basics by merely observing her peers.

One day, Mansi gathered the courage to ask her teacher, Jyoti, if she would play a game of chess with her. Jyoti, who has attended multiple workshops organised by The Opentree Foundation, is a Play Practitioner and often encourages children to play and uses play-based learning in her teaching. When Mansi came with her request, Jyoti readily agreed. During the game, Mansi made several mistakes, but Jyoti remained patient and supportive. Instead of pointing out errors, she took the time to explain what Mansi could do differently, offering advice on strategies and tactics. When her classmates and others overlooked her attempts, it was Jyoti who encouraged Mansi to keep practicing, providing consistent guidance and motivation. Mansi had found a reliable guide who pushed her to persist, experiment, and improve.

Following Jyoti’s guidance, Mansi began playing chess more frequently with her classmates and also her brother at home. What had started as a challenge soon became a passion for her. She began participating in class chess competitions. At first, she lost a few games, but did not let it discourage her. Each defeat taught her something new, and her chess skills and strategies gradually improved. Mansi’s perseverance eventually paid off when she won a chess competition in her class. This achievement motivated her to compete in a school-level chess tournament in February 2025, where she secured the first rank.

Mansi with her school teachers after winning the district-level chess championship.

This win marked a turning point for her. As a result of her dedication and practice, she was offered the opportunity to represent her school at the taluka and district levels in the same month. Once again, her hard work led to a first-place finish, which further boosted her self-confidence. Her journey took a significant turn as she went on to represent her school at the state-level. Although she did not win the state competition, she was not discouraged. Instead, she recognised the immense value of the experience and how far she had come, from knowing absolutely nothing about chess to participating in a state-level competition. Her journey is one of determination, growth, and self-discovery. 

Mansi’s journey is a powerful reminder of how play can transform a child’s self-image, confidence, and future. Through something as simple yet profound as a game of chess, Mansi discovered her strengths, learned to persevere, and developed a love for learning beyond the classroom. Play not only gave her a voice and a platform but also helped her connect with a supportive adult who believed in her potential. This is exactly the kind of impact The Opentree Foundation strives to create — ensuring that every child has the right, space, and encouragement to play. Through play-based learning and the dedication of Play Practitioners like Jyoti, TOF is helping children unlock their hidden talents, build essential life skills, and thrive in every aspect of their growth.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
April 10, 2025

How Play Fosters Inclusivity, Builds Confidence, and Connects Every Child

It was just another day at Deonar Colony, where a Toybank play session was underway. The room was buzzing with excitement and laughter, children busy in discussions, strategising, putting their best ideas forward on how to play the games to the best of their abilities. Among these children was Afzal, a determined Class 7 student. Afzal is a child with physical disabilities and finds everyday activities difficult. His classmates would not include him in games and this bothered Afzal, as he felt lonely. 

However, on a particular day, the power of play revealed itself in an extraordinary way.

As the play session began, children eagerly rushed to the table of board games and play kits. Afzal stepped forward and asked our Outreach Play Worker if he could take a game that he could play by himself. He was handed Balance The Ladders — a game that requires precision and patience. It wasn’t easy for him. He tried, failed, and tried again. His first attempts ended in the ladder toppling over. But the game had sparked a desire to keep going. Play is a powerful motivator for children as it taps into their natural curiosity, creativity, and desire for joy.

Our OPW noticed this and offered support. Together, they managed to balance 10 ladders and Afzal’s eyes lit up. However, this time, he wanted to try it on his own. With a nod of encouragement, he picked up the pieces again. This time, his hands were steadier and his focus was sharper. One by one, more steps of the ladder stood tall.

The children around him began to take notice and many came forward to help. When he finally completed the game, the entire class applauded and this made Afzal feel joyous. The same children who once distanced themselves from Afzal now gathered around him and also welcomed him into the groups. Play had created a space for empathy to grow. The next time our OPW went to the class, he saw that Afzal wasn’t sitting alone, he was surrounded by friends, laughing and playing with confidence.

Through a single game, play had shifted perspectives. It gave Afzal a voice, a platform to shine, and a way to connect with others on equal ground. For the other children, it taught powerful lessons in resilience, kindness, and the importance of inclusion. 

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
April 2, 2025

Bridging the School Readiness Gap: New Play Programme launched in 65 Mumbai Anganwadis

“School readiness is not just about recognising letters or numbers – it is also about building behavioural and social skills in children. Play has a significant role in children’s development.”
– Sharad Kurhade, Child Development Project Officer 

In India, the transition from early childhood education to formal schooling remains a critical juncture for children, particularly those from underserved communities. While there is a recent focus on improving foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN), the broader picture of school readiness is often overlooked. Many children enter formal schooling without the necessary readiness, facing challenges such as struggling to communicate, managing emotions, working collaboratively with peers, and adapting to structured classroom environments. These challenges, in turn, affect their ability to engage with academic content effectively, leading to frustration, disengagement, low learning outcomes and sometimes even dropouts. 

To address this gap, The Opentree Foundation launched the School Readiness Play Programme (SRPP) in March. The programme focuses on building behavioural, emotional, and social skills in anganwadi children, essential for a smooth transition to Class 1. SRPP was launched in 65 anganwadis in Mumbai, in partnership with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), in presence of Sharad Kurhade from the District Women and Child Development Office. 

“The inaugural workshop of the School Readiness Play Programme has been instrumental in empowering our anganwadi teachers to use the given play materials for children’s holistic development,” Kurhade said. “We are certain that our anganwadi teachers will use these play materials to build foundational skills – cognitive, social and emotional – in their anganwadi children, helping them transition to formal schooling happily and with confidence. We hope The Opentree Foundation can expand this programme to all 183 anganwadi centres under our jurisdiction, and are committed to supporting them.”

While The Opentree Foundation has implemented Life Skills play programmes for children from pre-primary to Class 8, this initiative sharpens our focus on ensuring that our youngest learners are truly ready for school.

Anganwadi teachers are the backbone of early childhood education, and make sure children enter formal school ready to learn and thrive.

School readiness is more than just foundational literacy and numeracy — it’s also about emotional and behavioural preparedness. Through our programme, we are empowering anganwadi teachers with play-based learning to make school readiness more engaging and impactful. For children, confidence, adaptability and motivation play an important role in helping them transition smoothly into formal schooling. However, many children, particularly those from marginalised communities, struggle not only due to learning gaps, but also because they face difficulties in adjusting, which affects their curiosity for learning and self-confidence.

Excerpts of our conversation with Sharad Kurhade: 

Importance of Play for Anganwadi Children

Many of our anganwadi children come from low-income families, where parents cannot afford expensive pre-school education. In homes where providing even two meals a day is a struggle for parents, being able to purchase and provide toys is a distant dream. As a result, our future generations are at a serious risk of losing their most fundamental childhood right – the Right to Play. The play material kits provided by Toybank are valuable in addressing this gap. They complement the materials from ICDS, and provide additional opportunities for building skills. These play materials will go a long way in making early childhood education at anganwadi centres more engaging, joyful and inclusive, ensuring improved school readiness in all children. Additionally, this will also create a positive perception of anganwadis as quality learning spaces, increasing enrollments. 

Developmental Benefits for Children Through This Initiative

Learning through play is a globally recognised, integral approach for the holistic development of children. School readiness is not just about recognising letters or numbers – it is also about building behavioural and social skills in children. Play has a significant role in children’s development. Through play, children enhance their cognitive, physical, emotional, and social skills — fundamental aspects of human growth. Play makes learning fun and engaging, helping children explore and develop essential skills.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
January 30, 2025

Art, Imagination, and Play: A Vibrant Day at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2025

“It was inspiring to see how freely they translated their thoughts into art, reminding me that imagination has no limits when given the right space to grow.”

– Grade 11 ABWA CAS volunteer

On January 29, 2025, we partnered with Aditya Birla World Academy (ABWA), to co-create a vibrant and inclusive play session at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. The collaboration brought together over 60 enthusiastic students from ABWA and 41 of children from The Opentree Foundation’s play centres, who celebrated the power of play, creativity, and connection. This wasn’t just an event — it was a reminder of how play can break down social barriers and empower every child to express themselves freely.

A Canvas of Creativity and Connection

The session was a colourful fusion of artistic exploration and joyful interaction. Children immersed themselves in:

  • T-shirt and bag stencil painting – Letting their imaginations run wild, children designed unique pieces that reflected their inner worlds.
  • Loose parts play – Using everyday materials like U-pins, paper cups, and clay, the children created their own ‘imaginary friends’ —characters born entirely out of creativity and personal interpretation.

These hands-on activities encouraged self-expression, problem-solving, and collaboration. Children weren’t just making art — they were communicating ideas, forming bonds, and stepping into each other’s imaginative universes.

Play Beyond the Classroom

This session stood as a powerful testament to how unstructured play fosters critical life skills like creativity, empathy, critical thinking, and teamwork. Through shared experiences, children learned not only about themselves but about each other—celebrating differences, building confidence, and finding common ground through joyful engagement.

“Through this activity, I learned the importance of self-expression and creativity in a child’s development,” a Grade 11 ABWA CAS volunteer said. “It was inspiring to see how freely they translated their thoughts into art, reminding me that imagination has no limits when given the right space to grow.”

For the students of ABWA, it was a day of reflection and inspiration. For children from our play centres, it was a moment of recognition and freedom. And for us, it was yet another affirmation of the transformative power of play.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
January 19, 2025

Universal Legal Runs for Every Child’s Right to Play at Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025

On January 19, 2025, Universal Legal proudly participated in the Tata Mumbai Marathon, supporting The Opentree Foundation and its mission to ensure every child’s Right to Play. The Opentree Foundation believes in the transformative power of play — fostering creativity, emotional resilience, and social skills that are essential for a child’s holistic development.

A long-time supporter of The Opentree Foundation, Universal Legal joined hands once again with renowned artist and our very own Play Ambassador, Arzan Khambatta, who not only ran to spread awareness but also helped raise vital funds — ensuring more children gain access to safe, structured, and meaningful play. The team’s energy and enthusiasm beautifully reflected the spirit of play: vibrant, inclusive, and full of joy.

Here’s what the Universal Legal team had to say:

“Participating in the Dream Run at the Tata Mumbai Marathon 2025 was a truly memorable experience for all of us. We were proud to support The Opentree Foundation, an extraordinary organisation we’ve been associated with since our inception in 2004. Their commitment to promoting the Right To Play is something we deeply resonate with. Play is not just fun — it’s foundational to a child’s development, and we’re honoured to amplify this message alongside them.”

“Our team brought the streets to life with colorful placards, creative props, and a whole lot of energy. It was more than a run — it was a celebration of a cause we believe in. The joy, camaraderie, and awareness we helped create on that day was truly heartwarming.”

“A heartfelt thank you to all the generous donors who helped make this initiative so impactful. Your contributions are creating real change — opening doors for more children to experience the joy and growth that comes from play. Your support means the world to us, and more importantly, to the children who benefit from The Opentree Foundation’s work.”

As we look back on this incredible journey, we are especially proud to mark our 20-year-long association with The Opentree Foundation. From humble beginnings to becoming a powerful advocate for child development through play, their journey has been inspiring. We are excited for what lies ahead as we continue this partnership and work together to make a lasting impact in the lives of children everywhere.”

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
September 21, 2024

TOF Turns 20: Volunteers engage in playful activities

On September 21, 2024, over 100 volunteers came together to distribute games to over 1,000 children and conduct fun activities at a school in Khar. The day marked 20 years of The Opentree Foundation, and was filled with learning, games, but most of all, PLAY!

We asked one of our volunteers to write a few lines and here’s what she had to say: 

The Opentree Foundation (TOF) celebrated its 20th anniversary — a momentous milestone for an organisation that has been championing the power of play for two decades. Being a part of this celebration as a volunteer-intern was nothing short of magical, and I’m thrilled to share my experience with everyone reading this blog.

I’ve been volunteering with TOF for over six months now, and during this time, I’ve witnessed firsthand how play can truly enrich a child’s life. The anniversary event was a blockbuster — filled with laughter, vibrant energy, and, of course, lots of joyful play! The games and activities were loved not just by the children, but by all of us who were there. I found myself instantly bonding with the children, their excitement and cheerfulness lifting my spirits and reminding me exactly why I’m here.

As the event drew to a close, I felt a deep sense of fulfillment. The children didn’t want the play to stop — they didn’t want me to leave! That heartfelt connection, their eagerness to keep playing and engaging, is what makes TOF so special.

It has truly become family to me. It has opened my eyes to the importance of play — not just for children, but for all of us. I’ve learned how play supports cognitive development, builds social-emotional skills, reduces stress, and contributes to a child’s overall well-being. And personally, it has helped me reconnect with my inner child. Attending play sessions and participating in board games, puzzles, and creative activities takes me back to my own childhood — and I enjoy it just as much as the children.

Though my journey with TOF is just beginning, I know it’s one I’ll cherish for life. The team is passionate, driven, and always gives their best — to the children, to the volunteers, and to each other. I feel proud to be part of a mission that is so meaningful and necessary.

If you ever get the chance, I urge you to volunteer with TOF. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss — one that will change your perspective on play, childhood, and life itself.

Play is not just fun. It’s essential. We must speak more openly about its value and work together to break the taboo that play is “unnecessary.” Every child has the right to play — it should not be a privilege or an afterthought. It should be a necessity.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARNSAFE SPACE
July 4, 2024

Class 5 students develop collaboration skills through play

Research shows that play has a transformative impact on children’s holistic growth, equipping them with the skills and mindsets needed to grow into well-rounded adults in an ever-changing, increasingly volatile and uncertain world. At Toybank – Development through Play, we are committed to building critical life skills in at-risk children by increasing their access to play. 

In one of the play sessions at the Maharashtra Vidyalaya school in Mankhurd, our Outreach Play Worker (OPW) observed that a group of three girls would not interact with anyone in class. They are all 11-years-old and studying in Class 5. 

In order to get them to interact with the other classmates, the OPW introduced them to games that would help them develop collaboration skills. The board games included puzzles of the Solar System and India Map, numeric games such as Multiplication, Tic-Tac-Toe and strategy-based games such as African Safari and Othello. All of these games require them to play in groups and interact with others. 

When children play in groups, they are encouraged to collaborate, communicate and share ideas with each other. This strategy helps in developing social skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork. The OPW had learned about this during one of the workshops we organised and decided to use the same strategy with this group. 

This helped the group gain confidence to talk and play with the others in class and, while having developed essential life skills. In conversation with the OPW, the teacher spoke about how play sessions have been benefiting children and also helping with their mental well-being.