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MAINSTREAMING PLAY Tag
Home Posts Tagged "MAINSTREAMING PLAY"

Tag: MAINSTREAMING PLAY

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARN
June 12, 2025

IDOP 2025: Choosing Play, Every Day to Reclaim Childhood

Click here to access the IDOP 2025 Roundtable report 

This International Day of Play, The Opentree Foundation hosted a powerful roundtable discussion titled ‘Choose Play, Everyday’, bringing together global voices to tackle a quiet crisis: the disappearance of play from children’s lives.

Moderated by Smarinita Shetty (India Development Review), the panel featured Dr Sarah Aiono (Longworth Education), Tia Mathisen (Playworks), Ingrid Srinath (Resource Alliance), and our very own Shweta Chari (The Opentree Foundation). The session explored how play, a natural right of every child, has been sidelined in classrooms, homes, and policy conversations.

Panelists emphasised that play is not a luxury but a foundational element of childhood. Dr Aiono shared insights on how educators can bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, ensuring play is not reduced to a token activity, but embedded meaningfully in curricula. Tia Mathisen spoke about the power of adults rediscovering play for themselves, creating joyful moments that lead to lasting mindset shifts.

Ingrid Srinath reminded us that systemic change won’t happen until we redefine success, moving beyond grades to include creativity, wellbeing, and joy. And Shweta Chari brought the message home: “It’s so obvious. But still not understood.”

The way forward is clear: we need more data, yes, but we also need more demonstration. We need to let funders, policymakers, and educators feel the power of play. 

At The Opentree Foundation, we remain rooted in our belief: it’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults. And in a world that desperately needs healing, choosing play every day might just be the most radical, hopeful act of all.

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARN
May 2, 2025

Playful Learning: Class 8 Students Discover Power of Play Through Game Design

Class 8 students of Govind Nagar English School in Malad recently wrapped up their academic year with a playful but powerful experience that demonstrated how deeply play supports learning and skill-building, and what the students had learned through play sessions. 

The previous play sessions have exposed them to different kinds of games and got them thinking about the different aspects of problem-solving such as asking questions to find information about a problem, brainstorming solutions for a problem, how do you pick the correct idea and so on. 

In this session, we asked students to think about the structure and design of a game. There was a detailed discussion with students about what goes into making the game and how games are designed. Then, there was a conversation about what goes into a game’s mechanics: what are the rules, how does the game progress forward, are there any intentional challenges that are created. For example: in snakes and ladders, you have a snake right before the last block, which makes it difficult for the player to win immediately. We had a conversation with students about how these factors together make a game interesting and then we asked them to develop their own games. 

At first, the task felt daunting. A certain group of students were not sure where to begin or how to even structure a game. This is where our Outreach Play Worker (OPW) stepped in and asked them to begin with brainstorming. This encouraged the students to tap into one of the most important skills that play nurtures — creative thinking. As they shared ideas and built on one another’s suggestions, their confidence grew. They decided to design a quiz-based board game with general knowledge as the theme. 

The process of creating their own game allowed students to practice collaboration, problem-solving, and communication. They worked together to design a colorful board, draft thoughtful questions, and list down clear rules. Their game was called Mind Masters: General Knowledge.  

Following this, the students engaged in feedback, another essential life skill. Members from different groups played their game and provided constructive feedback. The teams analysed it and discussed what could improve, especially in terms of design and rules. They realised their game could be more engaging if they expanded it, so they decided to include questions about different capitals of countries and not just limit it to India, to make the game more challenging.

This iterative process of building, testing, receiving feedback, and refining their ideas helped the students broaden their thinking. They were more open to try something new or adjust their ideas based on group discussions. Each team member brought a unique perspective, and through this collaboration, they strengthened not just their game, but also their interpersonal skills.

Their journey shows that when children are given the space to explore, create, and collaborate through play, they naturally develop critical skills like creativity, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving.

This game design activity wasn’t limited to one school. Across Mumbai, students in 12 different schools participated in this creative challenge as part of our play programmes. Each group developed a unique game that reflected their ideas and teamwork. Here’s a glimpse of the games they created:

Match the Card

Grade 6 – MHB Urdu School No. 1
In this memory-based game, players must match pairs of cards. All cards are shuffled and laid face down. Players take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If the cards match, the player keeps the pair and gets another turn. If they don’t match, the cards are turned back over, and the next player takes a turn. The player with the most matched pairs at the end wins.

Shark Attack

Grade 7 – MHB Urdu School No. 1
This exciting elimination game keeps players on their toes. A pile of chits — small slips of paper — is prepared, with most being blank or marked safe, and one featuring a shark. All the chits are tossed into the air or laid out face down. Each player picks one at random. The player who picks the chit with the shark is immediately out of the game. The remaining players repeat the process with the remaining chits, continuing round after round. The game goes on until only one player remains — and that player is crowned the winner. Simple, quick, and full of suspense. 

Scale Ludo or Ludo Climb

Grade 8 – Govind Nagar Hindi School
Ludo Climb or Scale Ludo is an exciting twist on the classic Ludo game, designed to test both luck and strategy. Instead of traditional numbered dice, players use a special dice marked with plus and minus signs. The game is played on two vertical scale boards, where players either move up or down based on their dice roll. A plus sign lets the player climb higher, while a minus sign pulls them back down the scale. The challenge is to navigate the ups and downs and be the first to reach the top — known as the “head” — to win the game. With its unpredictable moves and race-to-the-top format, this game adds a new layer of excitement to a familiar favourite.

The Way Home

Grade 8 – Govind Nagar Hindi School
The Way Home is a journey-themed board game where players must travel through exciting checkpoints — a cave and a lake — before reaching the final destination: home. The path is set, and every player must visit all the key locations in the correct order to move forward. Skipping a checkpoint isn’t allowed, adding an extra layer of strategy. The first player to successfully complete the entire route and reach home wins the game. 

Oops! Ladder

Grade 6 – MHB Urdu School No. 2
Oops! Ladder is a fun and tricky version of the classic Snakes and Ladders. To start the game, players must roll a 3. If you roll a 4 during the game, you have to move 4 steps backward. The board also has surprise spots — if you land on a number that ends in 0 (like 10, 20, or 30), you go all the way back to the start. Landing on a number that ends in 5 (like 5, 15, or 25) makes you move 10 steps back. The game is full of unexpected twists, making it more exciting and challenging with every move.

Colour Clash

Grade 8 – Malvani Township English School
Colour Clash is a vibrant card game inspired by Point Salad, but with a twist — instead of vegetables, players collect colourful cards. Each card represents a different colour, and players must match them in specific combinations to earn points. The more strategic the match, the higher the score. The game encourages players to recognise patterns and think ahead while making quick decisions. With its bright visuals and simple rules, Colour Clash is a fun way to test memory and strategy. 

Countdown Race

Grade 8 – Malvani Township English School
Countdown Race is a thrilling board game where players begin at tile 80 and race their way down to tile 1. Along the way, special coloured tiles give players a boost — orange tiles move you 2 steps forward, pink tiles give you a big jump of 6 steps, and purple tiles add 1 step forward. Players must think carefully about their moves and use the colour boosts wisely to reach tile 1 first and win. It’s a fun mix of luck and strategy, with every move bringing players closer to victory.

Spinning Vegetables

Grade 8A – MPS CBSE Rajawadi School
This is a fast-paced observation game. A spinner indicates a colour, and the player has 15 seconds to find and name three items of that color. Successfully finding all three within the time earns points. The player with the most points at the end wins. The vegetables have been drawn as a guidance so the players get a nudge, incase they cannot think of anything from the respective colours. 

Find the Treasure

Grade 8A – MPS ICSE Dadar Wolen School
Find the Treasure is an exciting maze-based game where players embark on a journey to find hidden treasure. Players are given three possible paths to choose from, but beware — choosing the wrong path means you must start over. The challenge is to navigate the maze correctly and be the first to reach the treasure. It’s a game of luck and strategy, where every decision brings you closer to victory.

Fit and Play

Grade 7 – MPS CBSE Tunga Village
Fit & Play is a dynamic and healthy game that combines exercise with fun. Players shuffle blocks on a board filled with different exercise poses. Wherever the block lands, the player must perform the exercise shown on that square. The goal is to stay active and have fun while completing the different exercises. 

Do If You Can

Grade 7 – MPS CBSE Mithagar
Do If You Can is an action-packed game where players must complete various challenges to move forward. Using a deck of 31 cards, each labeled with a number, players draw a card and then refer to the challenge board to see what task corresponds to that number. The tasks range from physical activities to mental puzzles. Players must complete the challenge before they can continue in the game. It’s a test of skill, determination, and fun as players race to finish the challenges and become the winner.

These game-design sessions are more than just fun projects. They’re a way for students to explore ideas freely, express their creativity, and develop essential life skills. When children are given time, space, and guidance to create through play, they build a mindset that values exploration, teamwork, and 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
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 PLAYPLAY2LEARN
July 24, 2024

‘Play is an integral part of growing up’: What our volunteers have to say

“I got an opportunity to interact with children at schools and community centres and learned how play encouraged curiosity and exploration. Their cheerfulness and the smile on their faces when they could figure out the games provided to them truly brought joy to me as a volunteer. It was an outlet for them to understand and express their emotions and also relax and recharge with the group activities. These play sessions definitely provide a holistic approach to child development and their well being and I was glad to be a part of it.”
Anisha Nagrecha, a volunteer at TOF

“I recently had the opportunity to attend and participate in play sessions conducted by The Opentree Foundation for pre-primary and primary children in government schools. I began the session as an observer, but soon got actively involved with the children. It was hard not to! The enthusiasm of the children was infectious. It was clear that they looked forward to such sessions and it was wonderful to see them apply their minds to solve puzzles, build things and figure out how to work as a team. I strongly believe that play is an integral part of growing up and the sessions conducted clearly demonstrated how much joy and value it was bringing to the children. My favourite moments were when something clicked in the child’s mind to solve the puzzle at hand and how these simple games brought them together. I think TOF has taken a step in the right direction and is making a difference in childrens’ lives.”
Devina Malik, a volunteer at TOF

 

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARN
July 17, 2024

‘Playworker workshops help us make classrooms more playful’

The workshop helped shape my perspective that every child is equal and has the right to play, and it is our responsibility to ensure that play remains an essential component in every child’s life. 

In a four-day workshop conducted for The Opentree Foundation’s Outreach Play Workers (OPWs), we spoke about what play is, why we focus on it, how we can make classrooms more playful and joyful for children, the importance of child protection policies and more. 

Earlier in March, 30 OPWs came together to learn more about the importance of play and what it means to be playful. One of our OPWs, Gausiya Mansuri, narrates her experience: 

The Play Worker Unnati Series workshop was conducted over four days and was full of activities with a lively atmosphere. Its main takeaway for me was understanding the distinction between being childlike and being childish; and how play improves life skills in children. We work with children on a daily basis so it is important for us to know these components. 

I’ve been a play worker for over a year now and the workshop allowed me to comprehend the meaning of being a playworker and internalised its essential value throughout the course. It helped me discover new activities and different ways to interact with children. It helped shape my perspective that every child is equal and has the right to play, and it is our responsibility to ensure that play remains an essential component in every child’s life. 

The workshops are aimed at helping us understand how play impacts a child’s life on a daily basis and our role in creating safe and playful spaces for children; how learning happens subconsciously by children through these playful approaches.  

For me, play promotes both mental and physical wellness. It helps develop a variety of skills, including communication, leadership, and time management, and that is exactly what I want to inculcate in children through our play sessions. These workshops also enable us to interact with other OPWs, and learn about their ideas and ways of managing classrooms.  

In addition, it’s always beneficial to revisit the child protection policies, as it focuses on how we should interact with children, while keeping their rights at the centre of everything we do. This time, we also had a Communications training, which helped us understand the importance of communication, how to communicate with different stakeholders and what are the right ways to conduct ourselves when talking to these stakeholders, including  teachers and principals. 

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARN
July 17, 2024

Inspired by sessions, Class 7 student incorporates play during free periods

Rohit (name changed) is a Class 7 student and attends the MPS CBSE Aziz Baug School in Chembur, Mumbai. He is also the class monitor, who helps maintain discipline when the teacher steps out.

According to Rohit’s peers, he was known for being critical as a monitor and he was also very strict. If he saw someone briefly talking, he would write their names for a remark. This caused the class to feel distant from him and they were annoyed about the constant complaints. 

Rohit, too, realised this and decided that he would work on it. The class had been attending play sessions for a while. When Rohit noticed how play could effectively captivate the class and bring joy to everyone, he decided to incorporate similar activities that he learned during the sessions. One day, while he was monitoring the class, he decided to enquire if the class was interested in playing a game involving counting numbers, and all eagerly agreed. He kept directing the activity and discovered that he no longer had to be a supervisor. He was surprised by his classmates’ interest in the new method of engaging with each other. This went on for a few weeks during free periods. 

When the class was questioned about their perception of Rohit, they said that they enjoyed participating in play while being monitored, as it brought them more joy, and they liked that Rohit took the effort to make the classroom more playful for them.   

Even as a Class 7 student, Rohit, who was inspired by play sessions, understood that play itself could help him better connect with his peers. He was able to understand how to engage children and how to channel their energy positively so as to maintain discipline in class. 

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARN
July 17, 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. 

IMPORTANCE OF PLAYPLAY2LEARN
July 17, 2024

Play helps Class 2 student build confidence, improve language skills

Divya is a Class 2 student, who lives in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district in a joint family. Her Mother is a domestic worker, while her father and uncle work as labourers. The children Toybank – Development through Play works with come from vulnerable communities and do not have access to quality play. 

When Divya first came to the Bal Bhavan, she did not want to sit in class and was afraid to interact with other students. She would often cry when brought to the Bal Bhavan. In the ‘Power of Play’ workshops the teachers attended, they were told about using play to strengthen the student-teacher bond and how to effectively use play in their classrooms. When the teacher noticed that Divya was being hesitant to sit in class, she introduced her to board games and started playing with her. 

Eventually, Divya got comfortable and began attending the Bal Bhavan regularly. When she moved to a higher grade in the following year, she struggled with reading, writing and speaking, and was not very confident. To help her, the teachers began playing games such as fruit flash cards, which help with visual recognition, memory, and also used games based on letter recognition, language and vocabulary and spelling building. 

They played these games daily and the teachers noticed improvements in her. Divya also started finding it fairly easier to read and spell words, eventually leading to improved skills. She began sitting with her classmates and they began competing to learn better, while ensuring that they helped each other. Learning through play made learning fun and easy for Divya, which led her to top her class in her exams. 

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, we are committed to building critical life skills in at-risk children by increasing their access to play.