Our Balwari Programme focuses on very young children (3 – 6 year olds) , who are imparted basic education through the play and teach method. We start the process of self awareness from a young age, to protect these children from the otherwise dangerous influences of their daily environment. Early childhood education in a safe and happy environment sets the tone for the years to come and is the foundation on which the child’s learning is built. It helps the child develop social, emotional and cognitive skills needed for life ahead. At Swati, we understand the fundamental importance these early years play and thus give special attention to our Balwari Programme which was set up in the year 1991.
So as to not pressurize these young children,Swati adopts the ‘Playway’ method of teaching, which essentially focuses on teaching through activities. All teachers in our Balwari Programme are trained in early childhood education.
The Balwari centre gives mothers of the slum who usually work in the informal sector without social security benefits (mostly as domestic help or in other low paying jobs) a safe environment to leave their children in, while they are away from home. This enables them to not only keep their child safe, but also re-start work earlier. The parents are closely connected to the Centre and it helps build a partnership between the child, parents and school. Early exposure to education helps increase the parents’ knowledge and skill in bringing up their children. It lays the foundation for lifelong learning.
The Balwari Program at Swati is run with joy and enthusiasm. The teachers take up various activities like storytelling, role play, games, singing and a lot more to teach the kids counting, identification of colours, alphabets, hygiene etc. The children always go back happy and looking forward to the next day. The programme also helps in preparing the children to enter mainstream government schools.
