26 May,2021 06:45 AM IST | Mumbai | Sukanya Datta
Play In A Box is aimed at kids between three and five, and five and nine years
Teamwork, sportsmanship, strategising and social skills - real life lessons are better learnt on the playground, rather than inside the four walls of the classroom. But what happens when children can't go to the playground? In a country where nearly 113 million children studying in government schools are missing out on education due to the pandemic, the lack of access to playing spaces isn't really the top priority. "We're talking about digital education, but realistically, more than 90 per cent kids in India don't have access to it, especially those from remote or rural areas, or low-income communities. And whatever resources are being pooled in, are mostly going to older children; younger ones are ignored," points out Pooja Rai, an architect and founder of Bengaluru-based non-profit Anthill Creations.
Animal-themed Bingo
Recognising that fun and games are an integral part of the holistic development of pre- and primary kids, the organisation has brought the playground home, through their Play In A Box kits. Designed for two age groups, three to five and five to nine years, the games boxes feature five and seven activities, respectively. They're especially aimed at those who don't have access to digital classrooms and engagement, or would like to opt for non-screen playtime.
The boxes comprise five to seven activities, depending on the age group
The boxes are the indoor version of Anthill's outdoor projects; the team has built over 300 DIY playgrounds in 18 states that are affordable, low-maintenance, and are made using reusable materials like tires and drums. "Our aim is to introduce play in the lives of children. We started brainstorming on the idea in March last year, and launched the first box in April. However, the first version comprised games we sourced from the market, which lacked the learning aspect and were very expensive. So, we set out to curate games that are fun, cost-effective and make children curious," shares Rai.
Hopscotch mat
Since then, they've made constant tweaks to the games to ensure each box engages kids up to at least five to six months. The activities, Rai shares, are targeted at improving creativity, self-learning, and physical, cognitive, motor, social and emotional development. Depending on the age group, each box packs in a play element - for instance, a hopscotch mat that can be used for kith-kith or to count numbers; a creative expression activity, such as DIY dices themed on hygiene; and a cognitive skills element like Jungle Game that's based on an animal-themed Bingo and fighting cards. There are also team-building activities including a good habits-inspired memory game; an arts unit that comprises stationeries; a set of domino building blocks; and a discover India quiz.
"Each game can be played in three to four different ways. They're kept open-ended, so that kids devise their own ways to play. We've tried to incorporate learning elements in all the games," says Rai. She adds that the instruction cards are available in English and regional languages including Marathi, and are accompanied by graphics. Apart from raising funds to distribute these boxes to kids who need them, they've also tied up with NGOs, public schools and corporates. "We're on the lookout for more partners so that more kids can benefit. In the long run, the idea is to game-fy education, which is becoming more and more rote-learning based," Rai concludes.
Pooja Rai
Log on to: anthillcreations.org
Cost: Rs 1,000 (plus delivery)
113 M
Kids in government schools in India are missing out on education during the pandemic
Also check out
>> The NGO Slam Out
Loud shares a stream of free arts-based resources for kids from remote or low-income areas which can be accessed through low-tech channels like WhatsApp, IVRS and radio.
Log on to: slamoutloud.com
>> School Ki Ghanti uses the power of storytelling through IVRS to educate underprivileged kids.
Log on to: schoolkighanti.org
