Why is it in the news?

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) released the National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education 2024, titled ‘Aadharshila,’ in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework.

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• For the first time ever, the Union Government has released a curriculum advisable to be taught to children aged three to six-years-old.
• The curriculum aims to enhance pre-school learning in 14 lakh anganwadis across India, focusing on bridging foundational literacy and numeracy gaps crucial for later school years.
• Acknowledging that 85% of brain development occurs before the age of six, the Ministry aims to bolster India’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)

Key Components of the ECCE Curriculum 2024

• It covers all domains of development including physical/motor, cognitive, language and literacy, socioemotional, cultural/aesthetic, and positive habits.
• The curriculum is structured with a weekly calendar comprising 36 weeks of active learning, 8 weeks of reinforcement, and 4 weeks of initiation, with 5+1 days of play-based learning in one week and three blocks of activities in one day.
• Activities include a mix of in-centre and at-home, indoor and outdoor, child-led, and educator-led initiatives.
• Assessment tools are provided to track progress, tailor learning, and celebrate each child’s unique journey.
• Special focus is given to screening, inclusion, and referrals of Divyang children in every activity.

National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation 2024

• Designed for children from birth to three years, this framework provides Anganwadi Workers with a basic understanding of child growth and development, emphasizing brain development and nurturing care.
• It addresses conceptual and practical gaps in care and stimulation based on the Nurturing Care Framework.
• The framework includes 36-month-wise age-based activities for implementation within households, anganwadi centres, or creches.
• The documents have been prepared by the National Institute for Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), which will also lead the training of Anganwadi functionaries on the new Curriculum and Framework.