National Curriculum Framework –

A significant shift in education For far too long, early childhood education has been overlooked and undervalued, with the focus being primarily on the later years of a child's schooling. But that is all set to change with the introduction of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for the Foundational Stage in India. This revolutionary policy marks a significant shift in the education system by recognizing the critical role that early childhood education and care (ECCE) plays in a child's first eight years of life, when the brain develops most rapidly. What is the National Curriculum Framework (NCF)? The National Curriculum Framework is the backbone of India's education system. It provides a roadmap for designing the syllabus, creating textbooks, and teaching practices across the country. The new National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 has ushered in a transformational change. As a crucial component of this change, the NCF 2022 aligns with the aims, principles, and the approach of the NEP 2020. The NCF is not only the first of its kind, but it is also the first time that early education has been given such a central and crucial role. It is a landmark moment for early education in India, and its impact is expected to be far-reaching and transformative. The framework focuses on the 'panchakosha' concept - the ancient Indian emphasis on the body-mind connection. How does the NCF 2022 affect Early Learning in India? 1. The NCF outlines the importance of high-quality early childhood education and care for children under the age of three at home. 2. For children ages 3 to 8, appropriate and high-quality early childhood education and care must be available in institutional settings. 3. During a child's early years, there is a greater focus on health, safety, nutrition, self-help, motor skills, hygiene, communication, emotional development, and forming good habits. 4. The NCF recommends a flexible, play-based approach for preschool education, responsive to diverse learning needs. States can tailor the curriculum to their context, ensuring highquality education for all. 5. The NCF acknowledges parents as the primary teachers of young children and emphasizes the importance of their involvement in early childhood education. The aim is to build on the developmental outcomes mentioned above, combined with a focus on early literacy, numeracy, and awareness of one's environment. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is critical in laying the foundation for a child’s lifelong wellbeing, growth, and development across physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional dimensions. Research indicates that over 85% of a person’s brain development occurs by the age of 6, underlining the importance of care and stimulation during a child’s early years to promote healthy brain development and growth. During the ages of 3 to 8, appropriate and high-quality ECCE provided in institutional environments must be available to all children. In India, ECCE is provided in Early childhood education programs in Anganwadis, Balvatikas, or preschools for children aged 3-6 years, and early primary education programs in schools (Grades 1 and 2) for children aged 6-8 years. During the ages of 3 to 8, ECCE includes continued attention to health, safety, care, and nutrition. Along with this, self-help skills, motor skills, hygiene, handling separation anxiety, physical development through movement and exercise, expressing and communicating thoughts and feelings to parents and others, being comfortable around peers, sitting for long periods to complete tasks, ethical development, and forming all-round good habits are crucial. Supervised play-based education, in groups and individually, is particularly important during this age range. Play-based education nurtures and develops a child's innate abilities and capacities of curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, cooperation, teamwork, social interaction, empathy, compassion, inclusiveness, communication, cultural appreciation, playfulness, awareness of the immediate environment, as well as the ability to successfully and respectfully interact with teachers, fellow students, and others. ECCE during these years also entails the development of early literacy and numeracy, including learning about the alphabet, languages, numbers, counting, colours, shapes, drawing/painting, indoor and outdoor play, puzzles and logical thinking, art, craft, music, and movement. The aim is to build on the developmental outcomes in the domains mentioned above, combined with a focus on early literacy, numeracy, and awareness of one’s environment. The development of foundational literacy and numeracy is particularly important during the age range of 6-8, as it forms the basis for the achievement of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), which is critical to overall education. The NCF's focus on a child-centered and experiential learning approach is a significant departure from the traditional rote-based learning approach in the Indian education system. This approach is expected to foster creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills among early learners and children. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) is an essential guideline for educators and policy-makers in India. It was first introduced in 2005 and updated in 2022 to reflect the latest educational practices and trends. The NCF provides a roadmap for the development of curriculum and pedagogy, with a focus on promoting inclusive education and holistic learning. Key Principles of the NCF 1. Inclusivity: The NCF is built on the principle of inclusivity, which means that every child has the right to education, regardless of their socio-economic background, gender, or abilities. The framework aims to create a learning environment that is accessible to all students, regardless of their individual needs. 2. Holistic development: The NCF recognizes that education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about developing the whole person. Therefore, the framework emphasizes the importance of holistic development, which includes cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. 3. Emphasis on foundational learning: NCF places a strong emphasis on foundational learning, especially in the early years of education. The framework recognizes that children need to have a strong foundation in basic concepts like language, numeracy, and social skills to succeed in higher education and in life. 4. Life skills: The NCF recognizes the importance of life skills in today's world and aims to equip students with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges of modern society. These skills include creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. 5. Multilingualism: NCF recognizes the importance of multilingualism in education and emphasizes the need to use the child's home language as a medium of instruction in the early years of education. The framework also provides guidelines on how to create a multilingual learning environment in schools. 6. Technology integration: NCF recognizes the increasing importance of technology in education and emphasizes the need to integrate technology in teaching and learning. The framework also provides guidelines on how technology can be used to enhance learning outcomes and support the professional development of teachers. Objectives of the NCF 1. Curriculum development: One of the primary objectives of the NCF is to provide a framework for curriculum development. The framework aims to create a curriculum that is relevant, meaningful, and responsive to the needs of students. 2. Pedagogical development: The NCF recognizes that effective pedagogy is essential for creating an inclusive and holistic learning environment. Therefore, the framework aims to develop pedagogical strategies that promote active learning, student-centred teaching, and collaborative learning. 3. Assessment: The NCF recognizes the importance of assessment in the learning process and aims to develop assessment strategies that are fair, transparent, and meaningful. The framework encourages the use of formative assessment, which focuses on providing feedback to students to support their learning. 4. Teacher development: The NCF recognizes the critical role of teachers in creating a quality learning environment. Therefore, the framework aims to develop teacher education programs that provide teachers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to implement the framework effectively. The educator profile must be trained in ECCE. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for the Foundational Stage is a vital step in India's early childhood education history, prioritizing high-quality education and care for young children. It aims to create an inclusive, modern, and flexible education system that gives all children access to excellent education, regardless of their background or circumstances. Its impact is expected to be significant .The NCF 2022 is a much-needed update to the previous versions of the framework. It is a comprehensive and inclusive document that seeks to transform early childhood education in India by emphasizing the importance of play-based learning, child-centric teaching approaches, and holistic development. The NCF 2022 aims to address the gaps and challenges in early childhood education and ensure that every child in India receives a high-quality education that will prepare them for success in the future. With the implementation of the NCF 2022, we can hope to see a significant positive impact on the lives of children and their families, as well as the overall development of India as a nation. Role of Parents and Careproviders We know how important it is for parents and careproviders to become aware of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for Early Childhood Education. The NCF provides guidelines for quality education for children from birth to six years, focusing on holistic development, including physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. By understanding and actively supporting the NCF, parents and careproviders can provide their children with a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning. One of the most crucial ways that parents and caregivers can support the NCF is by creating a nurturing environment at home that fosters learning and development in all areas. Play-based activities are a critical component of the NCF and can help children explore and understand the world around them. From building blocks to puzzles and sensory play, children can develop their imagination, creativity, problem-solving skills, and fine and gross motor skills through play. Another essential aspect of the NCF is social and emotional development, which can be supported by parents and caregivers. By actively listening to children, validating their feelings, and helping them express their emotions in healthy ways, parents and caregivers can create a safe and supportive environment for children to learn and grow. Encouraging positive social interactions through playdates, community events, and group activities can also help children develop strong social skills. Finally, promoting literacy and language development is critical for young children, and parents and caregivers play an essential role in this area. Reading to children regularly, engaging them in conversations, and encouraging storytelling can help develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. These skills are crucial for future academic success and can also help children develop a love for learning. Old v/sNew Traditional Teaching Methods A teacher-led approach is typical of traditional teaching techniques, which have been in use for centuries. Students are expected to retain and regurgitate the knowledge that is presented to them by the teacher. These techniques can be fairly rigorous and inflexible and frequently entail repetition and rote learning. Traditional teaching approaches in early childhood education have been the subject of heated discussion for many years. While some contend that this strategy is essential for laying a solid intellectual foundation, others think it may be unproductive or even damaging to early childhood. One of the main criticisms of traditional teaching methods is that they do not take into account the different learning styles and abilities of individual children. Additionally, some argue that this approach can stifle creativity and curiosity, leading to a lack of engagement and motivation in the classroom. National Curriculum Framework (NCF) The NCF is a more recent strategy for early childhood education that emphasizes a play-based, childcentred method of education. This method aims to promote exploration, discovery, and critical thinking while being more adaptable and responsive to the needs and interests of particular kids. Because it emphasises the significance of young children's social, emotional, and cognitive development, supporters of the NCF contend that it is a more successful strategy for early childhood education. The NCF seeks to establish a good learning environment that is supportive of growth and development by concentrating on these areas. Which strategy is therefore more successful for early childhood education? There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, but in general, I think the NCF is a better method of instructing young children. The NCF's recognition of the significance of individual differences in children's learning styles and aptitudes is one of the primary causes of this. Children may study at their own pace and in their own style thanks to the NCF's more adaptable and responsive learning environment. As a result, students may be more engaged, motivated, and successful in the classroom as a whole. Additionally, the NCF places a greater emphasis on social and emotional development, which is crucial for young children. By focusing on building positive relationships and fostering a sense of community in the classroom, the NCF can help children develop important life skills such as empathy, communication, and cooperation. In conclusion, the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for Early Childhood Education provides a comprehensive and research-backed approach to educating young children in India. By following the guidelines set out in the NCF, parents and caregivers can create a nurturing and stimulating environment for their children, which fosters their holistic development. From promoting play-based learning to supporting social and emotional development and language acquisition, parents and caregivers can help their children develop the skills and abilities necessary for future academic success and lifelong learning. By actively supporting the NCF, parents and caregivers can contribute to the broader goal of providing high-quality education for all children in India. By doing so, they are helping to shape the future of the country and create a better tomorrow for all. By providing a more flexible and responsive learning environment, and focusing on social and emotional development, the NCF can help young children develop important skills and attitudes that will serve them well throughout their lives. So, let us all come together to support the NCF and provide our children with the best possible start in life.

I conducted a workshop of 100 teachers of St.Anselm's school on 19th March 2024 on NEP/NCF engaging the educators on Early childhood care and education ,foundational stage ,preparatory stage ,middle stage and secondary stage .

  

Early Childhood Care and Education activities

Early Childhood care and education The holistic development, in contrast to conventional education, is on a kid’s overall development. The development of the child’s personality and academics are given equal weight. Holistic learning in early Childhood years is important because It contributes to expanding the kid’s perspective and mindset. It fosters the growth of a kid’s self-confidence and maximizes their full potential. It allows kids to use numerous skills simultaneously and comprehend more complex ideas. It encourages kids to acquire and use critical thinking and problem-solving techniques in the classroom. It inspires and encourages kids to learn and understand various concepts by implementing experiential learning techniques.

Learning in the lap of Nature (ECCE activity)

Nature Walk

Going on a nature walk and deliberately noticing things encourages children to observe with all their senses. A nature walk can help your child learn to focus their attention and take in the details of things around them. It can also be a peaceful, reflective experience for you and your child.

    Four Key Practices in Ignatian Spirituality Course 

The activity of God is everywhere and always present, but it is visible only to the eyes of faith. This course has encouraged me to seek and see the Lord first in my day. This new approach made so much sense to me and filled me with hope! Want to thank the resource people of this course who conducted all the sessions so compassionately. The break out rooms gave space to all individuals and enhanced the confidence of the participants too. 

 Course Facilitators

 

This group (Group 1) is facilitated by Jacquie McCabe, Head of Ignatian Ethos at Saint Ignatius College, Athelstone,  Australia,  Anne Slingo, Religious Education Leader, and Ignatian Formator, Xavier School, Melbourne, Australia, and Michael Tod, Ignatian Coordinator at Saint Ignatius College, Geelong, Australia. The course is coordinated by Educate Magis.(www.educatemagis.org)

Self Examen

As we get prepared to settle ourselves for self examen ,let us relax ourselves and sit back.

Take a comfortable posture and close your eyes. Be aware of God's presence around you .

Take a minute to stop and to be with God in silence. Remember that you are in God's

presence. God is present in you and in the world around you. Look back on the day and note

the times you felt God was with you, assisting. Feel God with you now and ask to become

more conscious of God's presence. Lord I possess nothing, I owe you everything. My very

self is your gift. The deeper my life in you becomes, the more stuck by a goodness to me. I

thank you for your infinite goodness and love. 

Let us look back with gratitude and review the past 24 hours and notice what you are thankful

for. What happened with you to make you feel blessed?  Let us take a moment to thank for

providing you these blessings. Reflect on the opportunities and the challenges you faced: how

did you respond to them? Pay attention to any strong emotions you felt positive or negative.

What caused these feelings? How did you respond to them? In Silence ask God to speak into

the events of the day. What drew you closer to God ?What pulled me away from God? Lord

has a look back towards the circumstances events and persons of my day let me see how you

have loved me and invited me to love you. As I look back over my feelings, thoughts and

actions, let me see whether I have welcomed your Love readily and loved others discerningly.

We often rush through each day, not pausing to reflect. Doing a deep,  honest reflection of the

past day causes us to learn more about ourself and improve our future actions. 

Focus on the moment during the day where you sinned or failed to do good. Allow yourself

to experience sorrow for your sins and failings. Express your sorrow to God and ask

forgiveness. You might find something God is directing you to work on-an emotion, a

relationship that needs mending ,an unpleasant situation. Pray for it and ask God's guidance to

resolve it. 

Start focussing on your breath now. It is a beautiful way to find serenity in the storm. Focus

on your breath has incredible way of bringing us right here in the present moment. It

transports us to here and now . Inhale deeply and feel the cool breeze around you. Relax your

shoulders and let go of any tension through your body. Focus on the rise and fall of your

breath as you inhale and exhale fully. Fill yourself with peace and calm. Feel yourself

centering, balancing and becoming present. 

As we are becoming present, thank God for His creations and the gift of breath in me . Thank

God for being alive. Communicate with the Almighty by breathing on His command.

Inhale… .. Exhale… Inhale… . Exhale… Dear God, I seek forgiveness for the times I have

been wrong . Lord, I m now ready to gently let go of all my blockages to restore my flow and

vitality. Inhale… exhale… take deep breath . Deeply cleansing and healing as it unveils the

light of our souls. Let your breath tell you, I am present, I am here, I m your breath. Feel the

lightness of your body, feel the awareness of your body. 

Prepare yourself and think for the next day .What opportunities will you have to serve God

and love others? Pray that you will be aware of God's presence. Ask for God's grace to use

your reflections from today to grow in holiness tomorrow. Feel deep gratitude knowing that

god has already answer your prayers and tomorrow is already blessed. Take some deep

breaths and know that all is already well. Inhale…..Exhale….

Neelam Chopra

St.Xavier’s Sen.Sec.School

Jaipur,INDIA

                                   Inculcating soft skills in children 

Soft Skills attributes to a well ettiquetted personality.They play a vital role in moulding a child’s character.The most seeked Soft Skills are team working ,collaboration ,turn taking ,problem solving ,decision making and critical thinking. In short, they are the good manners and personality traits needed to get along with others and build positive relationshipsThis article gives an insight in imbibing these skills in our children. 

Childhood is a period of massive development where the brain goes through a lot of transition.This affects the way the child's behaviour and the way they interact with thers.Real events help the kids to share their emotions in the peer group.Precious moments of childhood are when your child makes ladoos and castles with sand.The child gets amazed and runs behind a butterfly ;moments worth capturing . Emotional and Social development There is no other important and amazing responsibility than to help your child grow emotionally and socially

.Emotional and social development provides the foundation for how we feel about ourselves and how we experience others.Group learning plays an important role here.The child initiates learning new experiences.This method is called Cooperative Learning where the child wants to explore and try new things, learns to co-operate in the peer group, participates and shows interest in creative activities, follows instructions and uses self control, shows concern for others. Schools are a place where soft skills are executed and improved continuously, activities after school play a vital role in refining the soft skills but parents and families are where soft skills are observed and learnt . There are many ways in which we can inculcate soft skills in our children. Imbibing at an early age Assign an activity to your child at home ,for example cleaning of a fish tank or playing Ludo at home - allow him to lead the activity, show confidence and trust in his capability , praise and acknowledge the effort of your child.This will definitely foster integrity, communication, courtesy ,problem solving ,responsibility ,flexibility and teamwork in your child.It will also develop leadership qualities and self management. Children are soft clay and they imbibe all that they learn at a very tender age. 

Measure your words before kids ,they learn and imitate the same in school and even at home.Given the challenges our children face as they leave the classroom and enter the professional space, skills like networking, reasoning and conflict management are critical to help them navigate professional challenges and apply the lessons we teach effectively. Hybrid teaching hurdles The new age epidemic, COVID-19, has not only significantly affected on health and family life, but has forced the schools to adapt to new ways of imparting knowledge and soft skills as the entire nation went online during this time.Teachers in the education system are not exempt from this, they are encouraged by the new situation and forced to research and adopt new online tools and techniques in the process of knowledge transferring according to the students of various categories.The transition to distance learning was inevitable, and teachers made many efforts to develop innovative solutions for online teaching that they had not known or practiced enough until now.

Imparting Soft skills via online mode is not a herculean task but differs on how we execute them .For example :- Teaching soft skills in-person We teach our students to raise their hands without interrupting, maintain eye contact as they politely ask questions (of you and of their peers), submit their notebooks on time and with proper spelling and punctuation, etc.

 We teach them not to rock the chair .Thats being disrespectful. We emphasize on the use of Please May I in person . We accompany a lonely child to mingle with friends . Teaching soft skills online Emphasize the importance of “virtual discipline” by maintaining the same expectations as in person , reminding them not to show up on their webcams in pajamas, actively listen (and reflect that action in their body language), etc. Stress the same even in virtual class along with the use of magic words ( thank you ,sorry ,please,excuse me ) taught in class one as part of grooming the personality and character traits .We need to prioritize informal and speaking opportunities for the kids.Regular informal oral speaking opportunities are also valuable.These skills are present around them all the time – when students ask the teacher for help or when they ask a peer for help.By making sure the students are interacting with each other and while maintaining good eye contact, using a friendly tone, speaking confidently, etc., we can help them hone their communication skills. Inculcating soft skills in the children will offer tremendous opportunities for our children to learn and grow .Let us create an atmosphere for their holistic development ,at school ,at home and everywhere .It is a journey of accompaniment .

                                                    The First Day Interaction...Let the saga continue ! 


As I walk in Grade 4 as an English teacher,there are eyes of excitement,there are eyes of wonder and there are eyes of question marks .The new kids in the block are curious to know the new teacher and I was eager to know them.In next five minutes we got talking .

The introduction session began with a thunderous applaud for the most hesitant child in the class .The positive vibes that the kids shared was a perfect example of how it takes to break the ice.
Group activities help the kids to explore their potential.When we show them love and care ,they reciprocate in the same way.They emulate the attitudes that are presented before them so making sure to emphasize the value of education .

My little ones of Grade One walked in the class wanting to occupy the first chair .Mummas and Papas carrying their school bags and water bottles .Some trying to touch the classroom walls to feel the memory of their old school .Some holding hands of their parents and not wanting to leave the finger of their mother . Little do they that their holistic development journey has just begun.The class becomes interactive with music and ,dance and story telling .The kids enjoy music...songs take them to another world where there is fantasy world only .The musical atmosphere makes them comfortable .And soon the dancing ,singing and fun began .
When the school got over there was a spark in their eyes to return the next day.
And the teacher ? Well.......She waits in the classroom everyday to welcome her kids with a smile .

" Kalanjali ".... A Cultural Fest

Kalanjali ...a Cultural Fest of classes one and two was held on 8th Feb 2018 in front of an awesome gathering  of over two thousand people .The Chief Guest for the evening was Rev.Fr.Varkey Perekatt, SJ and the Guest of Honour was Rev.Fr.Mani SJ .Among the special invitees were Rev .Fr.John Ravi SJ , Principal of St.Xavier's School Nevta .

The students of Class 1 C  presented a Qawalli titled "Daasta-e-Bachpan ".The students were dressed in their ethnic best, it set the mood for the celebrations. The tone of decorations was very festive too .Here is the video of the Qawalli performed by the students of class 1 C.