The first ‘Play to Learn’ Summit was successfully held in Shillong, emphasizing the vital role of play in young children’s overall development. The Meghalaya Government, Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission, and Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project presented a Summit, collaborating with Sesame Workshop India Trust and receiving funding from SBI Foundation and the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance.
Meghalaya is launching an Early Childhood Development Mission (MECDM) to enhance children’s lifelong potential, benefiting caregivers, children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The mission will convert Anganwadi Centers into ECD Centers, focusing on nutrition, cognitive development, socio-emotional learning, and foundational development, and promoting community-based and home-based ECD activities. In a video message to the organizers of the summit, Mr. Conrad Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya gave an inspiring oration in which he said, “The Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission is dedicated to nurturing a child’s holistic growth during their formative years.”
Sesame Workshop India trust, with support from MHSSP’s, is assisting the ECD Mission in designing and developing an integrated ECD model to enhance outcomes. As a global leader in play-based pedagogy, Sesame Workshop India has a strong impact on caregivers and children globally, contributing to the state’s ECD mission.