Learning Through Play

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Title: Learning Through Play
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For copies and training contact:

Developed in collaboration with :

wltaoim
PublicHealth

DeJtreslCefiTr^.*

1645 Sheppard Ave. West,
Toronto, Ont. M3M 2X4
Tel: (416) 633-0515
Fax: (0416)633-7141

BABIES BEST

START PROGRAM
TORONTO

Special thanks to the following, without whose generous support this calendar could
not have been developed
•The Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation*The Wood Gundy Charitable Foundation
• The Community Foundation For Greater Toronto

Based on the original Learning Through Play From Three To Six Years calendar
May be reprinted with written permission.
developed by the Parents Helping Parents Program - City of Toronto Public Health.
• by The Hincks-Deilrest Centre
Reprinted in India by Bala Mandir Research Foundation, Chennai
Design & Production : The Cranmark Group Ltd.

Learning Through Play
Birth to 3 years

Child’s development - Joy of Parents
NETWORK FOR INFORMATION ON PARENTING (TAMILNADU)
UNICEF COLLABORATION

CHENNAI

GUIDELINES FOR USING THE FLIPCHART
Through research, Psychologists and teachers have come to know that certain stimulating play activities
from birth - 3 years help children learn. This enhances brain development. In spite of giving the child
education in the best of schools, if age appropriate, but stimulating experiences are not provided, learning
skills will not be acquired to their fullest level
We all know that • We as parents/caregivers want the best for our children,
•
Parents in families are in a position to be the best observers of children and, consequently are best
able to understand physical and psychological needs of the children.
•
However sometimes we do not always know how, when and what is most appropriate for our child.
This flipchart is an excellent PARENT EDUCATION RESOURCE- indigenised and revised by Bala
Mandir from the original Hinck's Dellcrest Learning through Play Calendar (Birth - 3 years)
•
prepared pictorially to present a range of activities, culturally sensitive with an easily understood
instruction material to help your child during each stage of their development
•
is a tool which will encourage parents of our Anganwadi/Balwadi/Creche children, their families and
others in the community to understand traditionally appropriate, good parenting practices It indicates
parenting practices supported by science, which will have a positive effect on bringing about healthy
and total development of the child
• will help both caregivers and parents to understand the important developmental needs of the child
and indicate the parenting skills and positive parenting practices.
°
has messages which reach out to various people in a parenting role, - Caregivers/Teachers/Health
workers/Government bodies and those preparing for Parenthood. Adolescents/Pregnant
mothers/Young couples.
•
shows the importance of Parenting through activities of Play which, when, done regularly, will
provide age appropriate and positive stimulation for all areas of the brain development and will help
the child to develop to their full potential (at birth the brain is only 25% developed and early
experiences help the brain to develop to its potential by 3 years (75%)).
Importance of Play for Children:
•
Play is children's work, it stimulates all areas of development and helps to develop emerging skills.
•
Playing with the child provides Parents and caregivers an opportunity to experience and enjoy the
growth and development of the child.
• Since the child learns many things through play everybody should be aware that play has a major role
in laying the foundation for and in the development of the child.
• While playing with a child you will find yourself thinking of more ways to play in your own special way.
If you share this flipchart with other parents and caregivers they too will become aware of how
important the activities are to their child's development
Flip the Cover Page and YOU will find that
• This flipchart has 9 pages each highlighting 9 stages of development. The caption on the top of each
page indicates the significant developmental activity of the child at that stage.
1. Heads up stage - (Birth to 2 mths),
5. Early Walker Stage (13 to 15 mths)
2. Looker stage - (2 to 5 mths),
6. Walker Stage (15 to 18 mths),
3. Crawler - Sitter Stage (5 to 8 mths),
7. Doer Stage (18 to 24 mths)
4. Cruiser Stage ( 8 to 13 mths),
8. Early tester Stage (2 to 2 ’/z yrs)
9. Tester Stage (2 7? to 3 yrs).
Each stage is very important in itself and requires appropriate activity.
However it is important to know that incidents that take place during one stage are not necessarily
confined to that stage alone and could continue into the next stage also
We must all understand that while the child's developmental stages are universal. The child's
readiness for development and the ability to perform the skills varies from child to child. This depends
largely on timely and age appropriate early childhood experiences.
While it is important to monitor growth/development at every stage it is necessary also to ascertain
whether there has been any deficiency in and provide the appropriate activities
As you go through the flipchart you will also understand the importance of Early Intervention in case
of any developmental delay, important nutritional inputs and necessary health care for each stage of
child's development.
In each stage, the child's development is taking place in 5 areas of development

Sense of Self: This is another way to describe infant's personalities and how children feel about
themselves
b. Physical: This refers to what children are able to do at certain phases. Eg sitting, crawling and
standing.
c. Relationship: This describes how children learn to interact with people.
d. Understanding: This refers to the development of intelligence and awareness of the world.
e. Communication: This describes how children express their thoughts and feelings.
While each area possesses its own individuality, development does not take place just in that area
only nor does it follow a sequence from one area to another in any particular sequence but is
interconnected and interdependent.
• While we tend to focus more on areas of physical and understanding (cognitive) development you will
find that this parenting programme lays more emphasis on the Psycho social aspects of development
- Sense of Self, Relationship and Communication.
As you face your audience with this tool you will find :
• The cover page is followed by 9 pages with illustrations and messages. There is information about
the first page on the back of the cover page you will find similar on the back of each page of the
flipchart.
____________________
a.

* The Instruction material indicated at the
The 5 pictorial illustrations in each page
back of each page is also arranged in
visualize one of the important activities for
the same order as the illustrations.
that area of development and are in the
* Helps parents/caregivers to understand
order indicated above.
stagewise, highlighted points indicative
Each picture has a one liner which is a
of development and to understand the
significant/self explanatory statement
required parenting skills.
highlighting the particular activity.
* has at the bottom, points to note
Illustrations show parenting practices and
regarding nutrition, health and
encourages family to be supportive of the
early intervention of that stage.
child's development and show inexpensive
activities available in the environment
Methodology
• Start with eliciting parenting points from the participants shown in the illustrations and discuss the
parenting issues, points and ideas that emerge while talking about the Calendar.
• Do not use an instructional mode while explaining domains of development in the illustration and the
Instruction material, demonstrating through activities, story and song will be more useful.
• As you go along record the positive and negative effects of parenting practices shared by participants
and use this knowledge in future interactions.
•
Be a confident, concerned, friendly guide, respecting parents views and goals, understanding parent
priority and concerns and individual experiences in the relationship between parent and child.
• Appreciate parenting abilities encourage and confirm parent strength and always maintain
confidentiality.
• Early experiences especially between the age birth - 3 years helps to determine brain development,
thus shaping the way people learn, think and behave for the rest of their lives.
• Providing the right stimulation at the right time is the key for brain development.

* THE FLIPCHART TOOL IN TAMIL IS AVAILABLE SINCE APRIL 2001 IN ALL ICDS CENTRES OF
TAMILNADU. THIS BOOKLET IS THE REVISED, EDITED ENGLISH VERSION OF THE FLIPCHART

HEADS UP STAGE (BIRTH TO 2 MONTHS)
Sense of Self
Physical growth
1. Babies should be held close to the body and
1. Grasping, sucking, smiling, crying, being
cuddled often. This will make them feel loved
startled by sounds are responses given by
and secure.
babies as reflex actions and performed
2. Tending to the physical needs of babies as and
instinctively.
when they arise, eg. Feeding, cleaning,
2. Dangling objects at hands' reach or legs' reach
changing, will create a sense of self and
will help them reach out and grab or kick. This
increase the feeling of security in them.
stimulates their growth.
3. The mothers should look into the babies' eyes
3. Leave babies aims and legs free for
while breast feeding (even if with alternative
movement.
milk) and gently talk or sing.
4. Tending immediately to crying babies in gentle
manner calms them down and help build trust in
adults.
Communication
1. Looking at the eyes while talking to babies is important.
2. Babies communicate through body movements, facial expressions, gurgling sounds and crying. The
different signals should be recognized and attended to.
3. Nurturing with loving care and talking affectionately by both father, mother & family members lays the
foundation for development of communication skills.
4. Talking, singing and playing with babies helps language development.
5. Singing lullabies helps baby sleep well and at times also soothes the crying baby.
Relationship
Understanding
1. Babies begin to recognize the faces of parents
1. Babies recognize their mother's voice and feel
& caregivers.
comforted
2. Playing and interacting with babies helps the
2. Babies look at objects that are within one-foot
development of the senses.
distance from their eyes.
3. Babies turn their eyes towards light, sound and
3. Babies are soothed and comforted when gently
massaged and talked to. This will help them and
bright objects, like mobiles
4. Babies understand soothing lullabies and feel
their parents to relate to each other.
4. Interaction by other family members, besides
comforted.
5. Babies know that gentle rocking soothes them.
the mother, will pave the way for other close
relationships to develop.
5. Routine care-giving activities like bathing,
feeding and cleaning babies when done with
personal attention and interest will help
relationships to develop.
Health and Nutrition
1 During this stage breast milk is sufficient and a complete food for the baby.
2. Colostrum, the pale liquid that is secreted before milk, should be given to the baby as it contains immunity
factors and is also nutritive.
3. Mother's milk contains factors that help in the development of the baby's brain.
4. Mother must be clearly guided on the correct care in breast-feeding and in observing personal hygiene.
5. Newborns should be fed on demand-every few hours.
6. Baby's weight should be recorded soon after birth, after teen days and then regularly every month.
7. If anticipated milestones are delayed or deviated, professional advice must be taken. Hearing & Seeing
should be tested.
8 First dose of triple antigen and polio drops should be given as well as TB mnoculation.
9. Exposing baby for a short while, to early morning sunlight enables baby to receive vitamin 0 from a natural
source.
Safety:
1. Babies should not be left unattended, especially when awake.
2. Risks should be avoided while handling babies during bath times and other activities.
3. Support the baby's head at all times when carrying.
4. Loud noises, bright lights may damage eyes & ears. Never shake baby - this can cause permanent damage
to the brain.

Heads up-Birth to 2 Months

LOOKER STAGE (2- 5 MONTHS)
Sense of Self
Physical Growth
1. Hugging, gentle rocking, holding baby and
1. Babies should not always be on the lap or in a
talking and calling baby by name will help baby
cradle. They should be placed on the floor &
to develop emotional security.
allowed free body movements.
2. Babies express likes and needs through
2. Babies begin to reach out to objects, and
various sounds & body movements. Parents
instinctively put them in the mouth.
will come to recognize and must respond to
3. Babies begin to coordinate movements by
them immediately and appropriately.
using different parts of the body.
3. Babies use the five senses of sight, sound,
4. Babies will try to raise the head when placed
smell, taste and touch to learn about
on the stomach and look at the surrounding
themselves and their surroundings.
world in exploration.
4. Babies develop attachment to the family when
5. Babies focus on distant objects improves, and
they interact with them.
will turn their heads to look around.
Communication
1. Parents/Caregivers must respond to babies by smiling and talking in simple language. This promotes
language development and speech. Baby uses facial expressions, body movements & babbling
sounds to express feeling like happiness etc.
2. Parents and caregivers must talk to baby in clear and consistent speech . When baby responds
parents can encourage them approprietly.
3. Pointing out and naming objects within baby's vision will help in the development of baby's
communication skills.
Relationship:
Understanding:
1. Spending time playing with, carrying around
1. Placing toys within babies' reach encourages
and stimulates them to reach out & grasp them.
and hugging babies provides joy and helps
2. Babies learn of their world through new
build a sense of security.
sensorial experiences especially sight, taste
2. Relationships are developed when more time is
and touch.
spent with the baby.
3. Introducing babies to new environments
3. Babies start recognizing family members
creates an opportunity for them to explore their
besides the mother, and respond
surroundings through reaching out, looking,
spontaneously.
4. Rough handling, shaking, pinching babies can
touching and tasting.
4. Stimulating babies through interaction helps
cause serious harm to babies.
them to understand the world around them.

Health and Nutrition
1. Breast-feeding must be continued.
2. Second and third dose of triple antigen and polio drops should be given.
3. Babies weight should be recorded gvgwmgnth to monitor growth.
4. If anticipated milestones in baby’s gtowm seem to be delayed are deviated professional opinion
(Counselling) must be sought.
Safety
1. The surroundings in which the baby is brought up should be safe, clean and hygienic.
2. Babies must be watched at all times when they are awake.
3. Very small objects should not be give for babies to hold. They can choke on them.
4. Toys should be soft, non-toxic and safe.
5. Very loud sounds, bright lights and rough handling should be avoided.

Looker Stage - 2 - 5 Months

CRAWLER SITTER STAGE (5-8 MONTHS)
Sense of Self
1. Addressing babies by name helps them identify
as an individual self.
2. Babies express likes and dislikes, acceptance
and rejections though sounds and actions.
3. When a familiar person holds baby check to
check in front of the mirror and points to the
reflection it gives an opportunity for baby to
identify herself.

Physical growth
1. Babies play with anything they find.
2. Placing babies on their stomach on the floor
facilitates turning over and crawling.
3. Babies use their hands to grasp and grab and
play with objects.
4 Babies shake objects that make sounds and
find rattles attractive.
5 Babies hold and drop objects. They are
attracted to colourful objects.
6. Babies can sit with support. But should not be
made to sit if not ready.

Communication
1. Babies like to listen to sounds in adult's speech and responds by babbling.
2. Talking to babies in simple language promotes their speech development.
3. Even though baby does not repeat words exactly as parents & caregivers do, talking to babies about
their surroundings, and activities, help them link words to objects and actions.
4. Playing and singing to babies make them happy and relaxed.
Relationship
Understanding
1. Pointing out and naming objects many times
1. Babies may show anxiety on seeing strangers.
will help babies name them later.
Introducing the person in a cordial manner
2. Babies repeat actions over and over again to
may help them get over their fear and feel
understand how things happen. This is part of
secure. This will take time.
learning and should not be discouraged.
2. Babies recognize words such as yes/no,
3. Babies like to play pee-ka-boo. This game will
want/don't want by responding suitably. It is
help babies to understand object permanence
important to use these words appropriately,
which is, knowing that something exist even
gently and firmly while talking to the baby
when it cannot be seen
about their actions.
3. Parents should be consistent in their behaviour 4. Babies can identify many objects by name.
5. Babies try to repeat the words they hear adults
and words to inculcate a sense of confidence
say
in the baby.
6. Babies explore the world around them, and like
4. When parents/caregivers talk to baby and
to handle many textures.
explain that they would be absent for a while
babies fears are reduced and help her to build
confidence in people.
Health and Nutrition:
1. Breast-feeding must be continued.
2. Milk should be supplemented with traditional family food items in small quantities that are mild (nonspicy) soft and easily digested., twice or thrice daily.
3. Baby's weight and growth should be monitored.
4. If milestones are delayed or absent immediate professional (Counselling) help should be taken.
Safety:
1. Since babies crawl at this age, the surroundings must be clean and hygienic.
2. Sharp and small objects should not be placed within baby's reach.
3. Since they are able to crawl & do things on their own, the environment should be safe and secure.

Crawler sitter Stage -5-8 Months

CRUISER STAGE (8-13 MONTHS)

Sense of Self
Physical Growth
1. Babies observe and try to imitate the actions of 1. Babies pick up small objects with their fingers
others. They identify strongly with the parents.
and usually put them in their mouths.
2. Expression of emotions of joy, sorrow, anger,
2. Babies love to dorp objects and watch them
boredom and aggression are normal. Babies
fall.
are only asserting themselves.
3. Babies can pull themselves up to standing
3. Babies are egocentric and may be possessive
position, and can stand with support.
and say 'me' and 'mine' They name
4. Babies try to walk and should be encouraged
themselves and this is normal.
with stimulation and encouragement at first
4. Babies experience feelings of fear and
baby begins to cruise.
insecurity when forceful words are used to
5. Babies can see and hear clearly and start to try
control or correct behaviour.
and feed themselves.
5. When babies express frustration and anger at
6. Rhymes & games stimulate babies
not being to able to do something, adults
should be supportive and encouraging them to
try again & again This enhances self-esteem. If
it does not work, they should distract them.
6. Babies enjoy being hugged and cuddled often.
This promotes a sense of security in them.
Communication
1. When listening to songs, watching actions or dan cing, babies express their joy by performing
rhythmic actions like clapping or jumping.
2. Showing picture books, reading stories and talkir g promotes language development in babies.
3. Parents & Caregivers should always talk in a cle;ar and sensible manner to babies, with the correct
use of words
4. The language used to communicate while talking or playing should be appropriate to babies
Understanding
Relationship
1. Babies enjoy exploring any object held by them
1. Babies enjoy being with the family and respond
by turning over, rolling and throwing, and
to each person individually.
examining keenly.
2 Babies express happiness when their needs
2. Babies like to experiment with different objects
are understood and fulfilled immediately.
to understand their properties.
3. Babies like the company of other children but
3. Babies like to repeat actions until they have
do not play with them. Babies gaze at faces of
conquered them.
their siblings .
4. Babies observe and imitate the action of
4. At this age babies try to do actions
others.
independently, but an adult should always be
5. Babies like playing games. This helps them
watchful.
understand reality and fantasy.
Health and Nutrition
1. Breast milk should be supplemented with sufficient quantities of soft, non-spicy foods (Idly, boiled
Vegetables, etc.)
2. Weight gain, growth andmilestones should be monitored.
3. Measles vaccine should be given at 9 months.
Safety
1. Since babies are trying to stand and walk, the home should be safe and free from risks.
2. Surroundings should be clean since baby puts everything in their mouth.
3 Babies cheeks should not be pinched as a form of endearment
4. Babies should not be tossed in the air or thrown about. This might cause permanent harm to the
baby.

Cruiser Stage 8-13 Months

Baby enjoys warmth and comfort from the family
members.

Baby shows interset in searching for and finding
hidden objects.

EARLY WALKER STAGE (13 to 15 months)
Sense of Self
Physical Growth
1. Toddler shows interest in imitating others’
1. Toddler will be very active and try new
actions.
activities at this stage. This will improve
2. Toddler shows interest in her body. This is
her motor skills.
natural. When asked to point to her nose, she
2. Toddler will hold on to furniture with her
will touch her nose in response.
hands and try to walk or use a walker.
3. When toddler is stubborn or throwing a temper
3. Toddler acquires various skills through
tantrum, caregivers may adopt the following
play..
methods to handle the toddler and promote
4. Toddler needs opportunities to exercise
healthy mental development: a) Appear calm
their finger control, eg. Self-feeding,
and show patience b) Understand the reason for
colouring, etc.
the behaviour and take steps to move toddler
from the situation, by distracting her attention, c)
Hitting or threatening, shouting at or isolating
the child should be strictly avoided, d) Toddler
must be assisted and encouraged in her effort
with words of appreciation.
Communication
1. Toddler likes to look at distant objects such as moon and stars. Tell her what they are and help
her to learn the new words.
2. Toddler begins to be able to connect the word for an object in the real world, to the picture he
sees in a book.
3. Toddler communicates not only through words, but also by gestures like pointing out, shaking
his head, crying and laughing.
4. In his eagerness to communicate with others, toddler converses in baby language. He often
says “NO” meaningfully.
5. Toddler understands the meaning of some words in speech or song and may express this
through actions.
Understanding
Relationship
1. Toddlers learn about objects through
1. Toddler acquires various social skills through
examination, exploration and perform
imitating the actions of adults. This helps her
acts such as throwing, pulling, pouring,
identify herself as an important individual.
filling and so on.
2. Toddlers are beginning to make choices and
2. When they play, toddlers learn new
selecting games, food, people to play with etc.
concepts such as “inside-outside,” and
Toddlers need guidance from parents at this
“up-down".
time.
3. Toddler’s independent choices should be
encouraged, by creating settings, which
increase her access to people and
objects.

POINTS TO NOTE
Health
•
Breast milk may be continued.
• Independent eating of food, along with the family at meal times, must be encouraged.
• Regular monitoring of the balanced diet provided to the toddler is necessary
•
If there is a delay in the developmental milestones, help must be sought from doctor, social
worker or caregiver and suitable remedial measures taken through early intervention programs.
Safety
• The toddler tends to put everything into her mouth. The objects, which are offered for her to play
with, her clothes and her bed should be kept very clean. In fact, the immediate environment must
be constantly cleaned.
• Since Toddler gains knowledge by exploring everything around. Creating a safe environment is
imperative._____________________________ __________________________________________

Early Walker stage -13-15 Months
Toddler shows interest in learning about parts of
her body.

Playing with your toddler, motivates him to play
with others.

Encourage toddler to walk.

In this stage of exploration to learn basic concepts
such as in & out, encourage toddler by providing
various objects.

WALKER STAGE (15 to 18 months)
Sense of Self
Physical Growth
1. Toddler tries to do things on his own. This
1. Providing toddler with opportunities to
might cause the toddler to become
perform various activities eg. Finger
frustrated. Parents should try to gently
painting, rolling dough, helps in the
clam him and try to distract him with
improvement of his fine motor skills and
another activity
also brings out his creative potential.
2. When toddler has difficulty with an activity,
2. Toddlers walk sideways, backwards, climb
caregivers must be observant and provide
Stairs without support. It is necessary to
support to complete the activity. This
encourage and supervise toddler in his
promotes self-confidence and pride in the
attempts and ensure that he does not hurt
toddler.
himself.
3. Toddlers feel secure when they are told
what will happen next. This helps them to
know what will happen next.
4. Praise and appreciation for something
toddler tried out, makes him feel good
about himself.
Communication
1. Communication skills improve when grandparents or other elders narrate stories, sing songs
and show pictures.
2. Frequently repeating the name of an object helps toddler to remember and recognize it and
identify the objects by associating it with the name whenever the opportunity arises.
3. Talking about the people and things that the toddler likes, helps her communication skills and
language to develop
4. Toddlers know the names of some familiar objects
Relationship
Understanding
1. Offering support to toddlers when they play 1. Toddler begins to notice that objects are
helps in the development of their social
similar and different.
2. Toddlers show interest in playing with
skills.
water, sand and clay and learn some
2. They like to have other children around,
basics of science
and while they find it difficult to share they
3. Toddlers use their senses as they explore
do play with them in a parallel way
3. Toddlers enjoy playing hide and seek with
objects, for example, touch, smell and
adults and older children. This helps them
sound.
4. Toddlers recognize familiar objects and
learn that people exist even when they are
attend to unfamiliar things in a different
not seen.
4. When the parents' set aside some time
way.
everyday to play with the toddler, the bond
between them gets strengthened.

Health
• Breast milk must be supplemented with soft, semi-solid food and a balanced diet
• Toddler must be given the 1st booster dose and oral polio drops in his 18th month.

•
•

Toddleris weight must be recprded^jn a monthly basis to monitor growth.
When the milestones of gfowff aredelayed or found lacking, the Doctor or the Health Visitor
must be consulted and the suggested early intervention in nutrition and exercise must be
taken.

Safety
• Toddler should not be given toys with sharp edges or cutting tools or scissors to play with.
• Caretakers must be watchful to see that the toddler does not hurt himself, while playing.
• Care must be taken to see that the kitchen (stove, stored water) is out of reach for the
toddler.

Walker Stage -15 - 18 Months
Encourage toddler to learn things independently.

Toddler enjoys playing with other children.

Toddler’s fine motor skills become more refined.

Toddler explores and understands the world
surrounding him.

DOER STAGE (18 to 24 months)
Sense of Self
Physical Growth
1. Parents should patiently encourage toddler to
perform activities independently. Their support
1. Toddlers run, jump, pull, dance and perform
and interest helps the child to progress in every
several movements. They are trying to
way.
coordinate their movements.
2. Teaching toddlers healthy habits through
2. Self-esteem of the toddler is enhanced when
each and every effort is appreciated and
play is important.
complemented.
3. When toddler shows a preference for using
3. When toddler observes adults behave in a
either hand, she must not be forbidden to do
so. Allow children to use the hand they feel
steady & consistent manner, she develops a
sense of security and is infused with self
most comfortable with.
4. Encourage toddlers to assist in getting
confidence. This helps her to start new
dressed and encourage them to try on their
activities
own.
4. Parents must understand and respect toddler’s
changing emotional needs, laugh with her, hug
or embrace her and express their unconditional
love.
5 Toddler’s needs (hunger, thirst, sleep) must be
recognized & responded to immediately. This
attention will help the toddler to express her
needs without hesitation.
Communication
1. Toddler experiences pleasure in listening to music, and the rhythm. At the same time, she is able to
understand simple words and emotions.
2. Toddler derives great joy in using household objects as musical instruments.
3. Children can understand more words than they can say. Name every object around them. This
improves her ability to speak.
4. Toddler tries to express ideas through words and actions. She is happy when parents/caregivers
understand and respond to her needs.
Understanding
Relationship
1. When toddler is at play, parents should try to
1. Toddler enjoys playing make believe and
play with them. If busy with other work,
pretend games. The involvement and support
parents/caregivers should continue to show
of the parents/caregivers strengthens her
their interest in her activity by talking to her and
relationship with them and encourages her.
listening to her, while continuing their work.
2. Toddlers tend to be possessive about people
2. Toddler learns the nature of objects through
and objects and use the words “me” and
various activities for which caregivers must
“mine”
provide the proper environment.
3. It will take a long time for toddler to learn how
3. Toddler seeks solutions to problems through
to share and give. Caregivers/parents /older
self-experiment. This also helps to generate
siblings can begin to teach the importance of
ideas and develop concepts.
sharing and giving & be role model.
4. Toddlers like to play alongside other children, 4 When toddlers imitate elder’s positive actions
encouragement is necessary.
rather than participate with them.

Health
o Breast milk to be continued, if possible
•
Nutritious food should be given three times a day.
« Continue monitoring growth by recording the weight on a monthly basis.
• Delay or deficiency in anticipated milestones must be recognized and timely intervention given.
Safety
• Children at this age are very active and will move quickly as they try out many new activities
•
Parents should ensure that ali dangerous objects (matches, penknives, forks) are kept out of reach.
• Children should be watched closely all the time, to make sure they are safe
L

Doer Stage 18 - 24 Months

EARLY TESTER STAGE (2 to 21/2 years)
Sense of Self
Physical Growth
1. Allowing and giving opportunities to the child
1. Child displays skills to coordinate body
to do simple tasks independently promotes
movements and perform new activities and
self-confidence in him.
becomes more adept than earlier at all tasks.
2. Children like to have things that they can call
2. Child has the ability to handle two activities
their own. This helps them to feel valued.
at the same time and is more active.
3. When child is discouraged constantly in his
3. Eating on their own, building with blocks and
actions, he will lack courage & confidence to
colouring with crayons will help children to
take initiative.
develop the muscles in their hands and
• 4. Every child is an individual and when the
fingers.
parents/caregivers expect and force the child
to perform beyond his skills, or compare him
with other children, his self-esteem is
adversely affected.
I Communication
i 1. Children enjoy playing "guessing games" and learn & utter new words while playing. This also
helps them to converse with adults.
2. Narrating stories, reading books aloud, singing and similar activities helps the child to learn to
listen carefully, understand and respond
' 3. During play, child prefers at times, to be left alone During this time, child carries on in self-play by
talking to toys and other items.
Relationship
Understanding
I 1
Including the child in simple family activities
1 Child learns concepts of measurement
helps in the development of new skills in the
through day-to-day activities. He recognizes
big-small, more-less, up-down, before-after
child and builds relationships with family
members.
and so on.
2 Child learns to relate objects with their
2. Meal times should be shared with the whole
functions ( a spoon for eating with etc)
family and the child encouraged to eat
3. Almost everything the child does is a learning
independently. This helps the child to feel
activity for the child. Provide the right setting
part of the family and provides an opportunity
and your caring guidance at all times,
for interaction
motivates the child & helps him to develop a
3. By closely observing the manners and
sense of understanding faster.
practices of family members, the child
4. Children learn best through play activities.
imitates them and wants to be like them. If
adults behave in a contradictory manner,
child gets confused
4. Through hugs and kisses children experience
closeness with family members.
Health and Nutrition
•
Nutritious food, which is not spicy, must be given to the child at least three times a day.
• Any delay or deficiency in growth should be attended to and remedial steps taken.
• Television viewing by children should be strictly controlled. Too much television will affect
adversely, all areas of a child’s development.
» To give the child an opportunity for full development, he may be sent to an Anganwadi or Balwadi
or other day care centre. Make sure that child does not have to learn formal reading and writing.
He is not fully developed in his mental & motor skills and is not ready for these activities.
Safety
• As the child is fearless and keeps trying out activities beyond his physical abilities,
parents/caregivers must be observant and act when needed.
• Child should not be allowed to do anything dangerous or risky.
• The home should be kept free of dangers and risks for the child (kerosene oil, matches, knives
etc.)

Early Tester 2 - 2% Years
Child’s self-confidence develops, by doing things
independently,

Child reveals skills by performing various
activities.

TESTER STAGE (2 1/2 years to 3 years)
Sense of Self
1. Allowing child to perform self-help activities
increases self-confidence in her.
2. Child expresses emotions of different types
clearly. Their emotions can change very
quickly. Sometimes, the emotion is expressed
strongly by the child and may result in a temper
tantrum. At this time, the child should consoled
patiently and her attention diverted.
3. Though the child can do things by herself, she
may seek the attention of others for approval.
When they approve, she feels happy.
4. Branding or labelling the child as "stupid”, "shy”
or “cowardly" should be absolutely avoided.
This kind of word to describe her, will make her
feel unworthy.

Physical Growth
1. Child’s physical coordination and skill to do
things get strengthened and she is physically
able to discover new skills in herself and play
games.
2. Children explore their surroundings and learn
as they do.
3. With the development of fine motor skills, the
child is able to draw horizontal and vertical
lines.
4. They are extremely active and need to
expend their energy and be given all kinds of
opportunities for play activity.

Communication
1. Child listens keenly and imitates adult speech. She constructs sentences of two or three words.
2. Child loves listening to stories repeatedly. When stories are narrated, she expresses joy by facial
expressions and gestures.
3. While playing on her own, it is natural for the child to talk to herself or to her toys.
4. It is natural for the child to ask questions like “why", “what" and “when”.
5. Child expresses emotions and ideas through play activity - appreciating this improves self
confidence
Relationship
1. Since child’s imagination is fertile at this stage,
she shows interest in role-play games
2. Watch out always that the child is active, safe
and happy when at play. If she is not, deal with
gentle firmness, diverting attention or pacifying
her.
3. Child sees herself as a member of the family
and wants to be a part of all interactions.

Understanding
1. Child recognizes concepts of before after,
more-less, big-small up-down, using objects
around her.
2. She enjoys playing with older children and
imitates them.
3. She shows interest in jigsaw puzzles,
guessing games, building games etc

Health and Nutrition
• Though the child eats with the family, the food given to the child should not be spicy. Keep the
child’s share separate before adding hot spices.
• The child’s weight must be taken and recorded every month, and development monitored.
• When the doctor visits the childcare centre attended by your child, bring up any observation you
have made of the child, which is unusual or different from the others.
Safety
• The child’s routines should be kept undisturbed as far as possible. It is not advisable to take the
child along for an adult cinema, where the theme is unsuitable and the duration too long.
» While encouraging the child’s self help activities, ensure that the settings are totally safe.______

Tester Stage 2Y2 - 3 Years

unicef Q
United Nations Children’s Fund

No. of Copies Printed : 500
Printed with support from unicef
Not for Sale
unicef, Chennai, October 2001

Report on the Bangalore Workshops on the 'LEARNING THROUGH PLAY' Calendar
Parenting Programme

Name of the Organization: - REDS
They work with the children and families of Rag pickers, Street children. School Drop
outs, Pre School in the community, Day care centers. Non Formal Education Centers.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Anthonyamma 2. AAs.Fathima Bibi 3. Ms.Claudia
Sumathi

Report:- April - May 2002

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

-

-

Pre workshop Parenting issues that they were concerned about End of April
• Fairly good understanding of the parenting issues.
• Stimulation, Bonding, Nutrition
• More concerned about the 3-6 year old children.
Their needs from this Workshop
• Their need was to learn better communication skills with the parents as well
as with the children.
• To learn about 3-6 years old children's activities, and how to stimulate the
children with these activities.
The Nature of work of the participants
• Pre School Teachers.
• They get lot of opportunities to meet the parents daily, and also in the
parents meetings.
Feedback at the end of the first 2 days of the workshop in April 2002
• Better understanding of the age appropriate play activities.
• The importance of the brain development.
• They felt more confident about the communication skills with the parents.
• Understood the importance of first three years.
Review in May (After a month) Fathima, Antony Mary
• Written Review report and feed back after the second phase is not available
but following is the verbal feedback.
I have two children. Often I used to beat them out of frustration and never allow
them water play.
Now I am allowing them to play with water and also I am making an effort not to
beat them.
Some mothers I approached told me blankly - go tell your Ramayana elsewhere.
Breast-feeding till 2 years is quite common. Mothers play with the children and do
not think of sending them to School. They feel they are unlettered and cannot
teach and help the child.
However for myself and those who come to my Day Care Centre I can use these
messages.

4

6.

7.

Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
• They were able to train 15 of their own other staff members - in LTPC. The
special highlight of their sharing were the points regarding brain
development.
• Disseminated Parenting information to the parents of school dropouts in
their community.
• Visited street children and rag picker families and talked to them about
parenting and shared the calendar messages.
• The messages can also be taken through the SHG's.
• Parenting values picked up from the Joy of Parenting programme and used
them to talk to the parents of the teenage children also.
• Fathers in particular were quite surprised to note how important it was for
them to play and cuddle the child.
• The Parenting messages are like distributing sweets in the community nobody will refuse them.

Hema's Visit to REDS on 20/11/2002.

Went to CHC to pick up Mr. Rajendran and then to proceed to the biggest slum of
Bangalore in Koramagala.
Met Dr. Thelma at CHC. Briefed her about my visits to the organisations .
We went to the field center of REDS where they are working.
This was the most disappointing after the very interesting interactions I had in other
places.
Met their staff who are all working in their preschools in that area.

The following are the staff who met us.
Ms Gayathri, Ms. Rashma, Ms Gulazar, Ms. Vasanta,
Ms. Usha, Ms. Kausar,
Ms.Rajeswari, Ms. Ammu, Ms. Rekha,
Ms. Gladia,
Ms. Selvi,
Ms. Sopia, Ms.
Krishnaveni, Ms Sathya.
Ms Anthoniamma , who took training with us , who is mainly a teacher in their non formal
education , has trained the other preschool staff in the calendar. I asked them to fill the
profile formats of those and also to fill in the feedback form, so that we will be able to
know what they have understood.
But the staff seems to be very negative in their approach, may be because of their
difficult stubborn experience with the parents in the area.
They are having 4 centers in that area.
About 100 children are there in the non-formal education between the age of 5 and 15. Ms.
Anthoniamma has talked to few of the parents of these children, but they feel the
parents are not responding.

5

Even the preschool teachers are also finding it very difficult to disseminate the messages
to the parents of this area. They were saying, parents have no interest and patience to
listen. They some times get angry also with them. They have tried to talk to 10 parents.
Apart from that ,1 felt the preschool teachers needs training with us. They are not sure
and confident them selves. Because of that , they have not tried at all.

What surprised me was, In the July meeting , they had told that they have reached out to
parents and it was very well received, but today, they said they haven't been able to do
much at all.

Most of the families have more than 3 children, some having 7-8. There is no family
planning, and women are not following any kind of family planning methods. The elder
children take care of the siblings, while the mother is most of the time away on work. They
are either housemaids or agarbathi workers. Poverty, too many children to take care,
alcoholic husbands to cope have made these women very indifferent to child care in
general.
They say that they send their children to school only on that day when they supply ration,
and rest of the time children are all on the roads. Boys are not sent to school. Instead
they go to work, or rag picking or some such thing, and rest of the time on the streets.
Most of the children get into bad habits very early, and to crime. This area which is
predominantly Tamil area , is full of all kinds of criminals, where youngsters , and
unemployed uneducated ,drop outs and rag pickers almost all the time live on the streets.
In fact while we were driving through the lane, hundreds of children both very young to
youth are all on the streets fighting playing etc. which made me ask them about it.
The Staff of REDS also are not at all enthusiastic. They have SHG s in the area. I told
them that I will come and talk to the leaders of this self help group women about various
issues. In fact, I thought of taking the Doctor from CHC also along with me to talk to
them about Family Planning issues. So that these leaders , the women will be able to
motivate others. During that time, the staff also can be there to get more awareness.
Their coordinator, Mr. Vijay has joined them after our workshop in June. He has not even
looked into the material. I told him to read the information and help the staff to
understand and talk to the parents.
I felt, it may be a good idea to call all the coordinators and give them a day’s session.
They are not in a position to give any feedback report, but can give a survey report in a
very general way.

6

Name of the Organization:- Stepping Stones.
Infant Programmes, Toddlers Programmes, Pre school programme, After School
Programme.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Anthonyamma 2. Ms.Fathima Bibi 3. Ms.Claudia
Sumathi
Report: -

1.

2,

3.

4,

5,

6.

Pre workshop Parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Age appropriate Play.
• Emotional development
» The needs of the child.
Their needs from this Workshop
• To learn more about play activities.
• To understand the parenting issues and how to disseminate.
The Nature of their work
• Managing a parent child center. And a pre school.
• They meet parents very often.
• They meet parents who are well educated and affluent..
Feedback at the end of the first 2 days of the workshop in April
• Very happy and felt that the calendar is a very useful tool.
Review in may (After a month)
• She contacted many parents with various problems.
• The calendar was very useful.
• She used the messages also to give solutions.
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
• Very happy about the programme.
• Felt that the programme is very direct and simple in approach, with no heavy
technical words. That is what impressed them.
• They are very sure that this programme is very useful for their parents.
• Since they are meeting educated parents who can afford to spend money,
they want to introduce this programme by charging them for the set of
calendars and the supportive material.
• They are sure to convey this to 100 parents. Who come to their center and
the school. They are also running creche in corporate offices, which they
feel is very important meeting point of young parents who are in need of
these messages.

7,

Hema's visit to Stepping Stone on 29/10/02,

They have a very small place, single storied house.
We spent 2 hrs in their center.
Mr.Rajendran from CHC also accompanied.
Stepping stone is mainly a day care for working parent's children in the area.
There were about 15 children below 4 years, at the time when we went. They were all very
happily playing Talking ,and generally enjoying. The staff were busy p[laying with them ,
and then later busy with lunch arrangement.
They get primary children after school. To stay till 6.00p.m. They seem to be having lot of
problems with them and they want us to talk to parents of these primary children.

We met Ms.&owri subramanyam, and Ms. Meena who is running the center.

They have trained their own staff members, Ms kasthuri and Ms Sylaja, in parenting using
the Learning Through Play calendar.
It has helped those two staff very much, and their attitude towards various aspects have
changed.
They have also trained one Ms Vijaya from Akshara foundation, sent by them to get
training. As part of their training they included the calendar training also , and they felt it
was very useful.
I have asked them to give us the profile format of these .
Their report on their experiences after the training ,and how they are using the calendar,
and has it helped to solve any of the parent's problems in caring children will be sent to us
in detail after few days.

Ms. Meena and Ms.Gowri shared some of their experiences, and how it helped them to
solve problems like tantrums, eating problems. They feel more confident to talk to parents
because of the calendars.
They have talked to 5 affluent parents, and 10 underprivileged parents using the calendar,
and they are planning to take this across to all the their parents also.
Stepping stone is also conducting counseling classes to Pregnant ladies, who are sent by
few gynecologists. The information on emotional aspects which we gave during our
workshop has helped them to talk to them about it. They are also using the information on
brain development, which is very useful for them.
I n fact, the idea of networking with the gynaecologists and pediatricians, and having an
understanding with them to send them to learn all about parenting seems to be a very
good idea, and they are using the parenting information well to convey.

Ms. Meena being a consultant to one corporate company called Bio-Con, which is running a
day care within their campus, she is now using the learning through play calendar messages
for them also. Most of the children are the children of the teachers from the school
opposite, she is planning to get those teachers to talk about parenting to them.

She is also consultant in an orphanage run by a missionary, where she wants me to go and
talk to the senior children.

They need 3 sets of kannada calendars.
Their report and the commitment letter, general socio economic survey report will follow.

Name of the Organization:- Deena Seva Sangh
• Deena Seva dispensary.
• Nutrious feeding programme.
• The DSS community Health project
• DSS school health programme.
• Reha ilitation programme.
• Vocational Training Centres for women.
• Andal girls home.
• Seva Ashram Children's Home.
• Students home.

Name of the Participants:- 1. Mr.Kulakarni

2. Ms.Seethamma.

Report: -

1. Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Health and hygiene.
• Parenting.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
o
How to convince poor parents about finer aspects of parenting.
•
Needed material to talk about parenting.
3. The Nature of their work.
• Health officers-Communicators.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
o
They wanted more practical experiences.
•
Expressed that smaller group would be better.
•
Expressed the need to get certif icates at the end of the programme.
5. Review in May (After a month): Mr.Kulkarni and Seethamma
• Used the Calendar messages well.
• They felt it was very useful and convincing to talk to the parents.
We are undertaking special project in3 slums.
The focus is on MCH - however do get to meet fathers and other elders.
This is a new 3 area we can speak about and develop a rapport with the community.
While the women may be illiterate - they fully enjoyed seeing the pictures and the cute
children.
There are older siblings who are looking after younger ones and who can benefit from this
Parenting Programme.
We will also bring this up in our group discussion.

6,
Feedback
and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
• They met Parents of children from different age groups and were able to give
solutions to parents problems by referring the Calendar, either the message or the
picture which are given age appropriately.
• And they were also use all the information during the workshops they hold for 15 20 parents at a time..
• They were able to solve parents "NO TIME" problem by telling them about time
management.
• They have incorporated Parenting as a topic during their on-going 3 day workshop
on Health and Hygiene which they conduct for volunteers in the community.
• The feedback from the community highlighted the importance of cuddling, father's
involvement, talking to the child from infancy, learning to deal with naughtiness
7,

Hema's visit to beena 5eva Sangha on 12/11/2002.

Had a very interesting meeting with MR. Rama Rao and his other members of the sangha.
He was so very happy that I was very punctual. He was ready with all the material and
people, which was such a change from the other places. He is very happy about the
parenting programme. In fact he said, how they in OSS did not think of it earlier. Their
main programme is health and hygiene. But they are very effectively and meticulously
including this parenting also in all their routine activities.
They call 25 to 30 parents once a month for a full day workshop to disseminate
information on health, hygiene, communication, leadership, and now they have included
parenting skills also as one topic. Apart from this, in the field daily when they visit, the
calendar is shown and parenting message is given.
But he was telling me that it is not enough. Parenting needs a separate workshop, and they
don't have enough money to do that. If Bala Mandir funds , then he is prepared to conduct
workshops to reach out to many people and also document and give feedbacks .
He has given the budget for one workshop.
The interesting thing is, he gives Rs.25 to each parent to attend the workshop. As that is
their daily wages, it is an incentive for them.
He said, otherwise, they don't attend with interest and the information is very important
to reach to people.
Their home visiting record is very good, which he showed it. They are able to follow the
child's growth and development for few years .

Ms. Seethamma and Mr, Kulakarni who attended our sessions, shared their experiences in
the field and how this programme and the calendars have helped the community. They will
be sending their report very soon.
Later we went along with them to the slums, Okalipura. where they are working extensively
towards building toilets in each house and teaching them cleanliness, helping them when
they are sick.
It was my f irst experience into the slums of Bangalore.
Deena Seva Sangha is doing excellent work in health and hygiene, and because of that the
community have such a high regard for them. Both Mr Kulkarni and ms. Seethamma have
very good relation ship with all of them.
We had a meeting with the parents. Every house hold as we walked along are all aware of
the calendar and the messages. There are about 200 houses. They are planning to enlarge
the calendar and put it on the walls of the houses, so that as they walk through they can
look at it.

The parents main problem is their husband's alcoholism. They seem to be otherwise very
good to their children and being Agarbathi workers, they stay at home doing their work.

They shared their problems, specially health .
In few houses the elder girl is staying at home taking care of the younger siblings.
One interesting thing about Bangalore slums is—There are many NGOs with the govt or
without ,seems to be doing lot of work and lot of money is being spent to keep the slums
clean and also health awareness.
When one compares the slums in Chennai, here it is very well kept and people are more
aware of ,and they are also looking better., even though most of them are Tamil speaking.
There seems to be a kind of a competition in doing things for the slum people.
Apart from that , Infosys and other corporate people are also doing work. And trying to
bring in lot of education programmes for children.

I have explained to them about the report and the general survey report, which they said
that they will send it by the end of the month.

Name of the Organization:- DEED
• Child care services
• Family services.
• Community services.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms. Kamala 2. Ms.Prema 3. Ms.P.Geetha
4. Ms.P.Shanthakumari 5. Ms.Velankanni 6. Ms.L.Prabha

Report: 1. Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Not much aware of parenting issues. Only about nutrition.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
•
How to teach children
•
How to take care of them
•
How to counsel teenage children.
3. The Nature of their work,
• Teachers in non-formal education
• Meet lot of teenage children in their work.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
•
Very happy "Parenting". The topic was new to them.
•
Felt it very useful.
5. Review in May (After a month)
• Most of them used the Calendar with the parents and were quite happy about the
effect.
• They seem to have used the Calendar in different situations, like home visits,
mothers meeting.
• They felt very comfortable to use the calendars and messages.
•

Gita:- We can easily give these messages at the monthly mother's meeting. A mother
in the neighborhood who was quite ill-planned was sending her children tell late to the
stages - She understood the importance and need for play and interaction and started
spending time in conversation etc. - saw a difference in her children from careless to
more careful and caring.
- Other parents liked the divisions in LTPC - they did not know that there are so
many ways in which a child needs to given.
- We have missed out some things for our child - we shall ensure better for the next
(Nepali).
We went to the mothers with the messages and they really enjoyed it. I have
always had stage fright - But your training programme has helped me overcome it.
I feel more confident now.
- an office going mother I spoke to is trying to spend more time with her child.

-

We are very happy our HOD sent us and now was happy where we should our joy,
with her.
Nice to see Grandma other's face in LTPC.
Villankkai, Shanthakumari
We always listen critically. I was at first scared and then decided to share it as
tips rather than a talk.
Use it when you have time.
Some of them are maid-servant of affluently child they are happy with these
messages. She spends time.
About patience and criticism - did not know what to say. All those in my mother's
group had older children. So I called in a separate group. At first they said "No
time". But when I showed LTPC they were interested in the pictures and messages.
They liked the Tamil".

6.

Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
o They met 10 families.
• Had mothers meeting and shared the messages.
<• Most of the mothers asked for the calendar books, both in Tamil and Kannada.
• LTPC was helpful while dealing with problems of older children since it highlights
need for unconditional love, interaction between parents and children.
• They met parents older age group children's parents from their non formal
education programme. Used the Calendar to solve their problems. Talked to them
about universal parenting value and the needs.
o Met 10 mothers of children in the age group of 1-3 years. All of them asked for the
Calendars while waiting in the OP.
• Met a mother in the hospital and disseminated the messages, while waiting.
• Gave a solution to the mother who was complaining about the child's tantrum.

7.

Hema's Visitto Deeds on 18/11/2002.

Mr. Rajendran and an Young doctor Ms. Mary,who is working in CHC also accompanied.

Met Mr. Thyagarajan, and Mr. Sundaresh , programme In charge. At DEEDS office in
S.K.Garden area

They are very keen to have a meeting again of all the NGOs who participated in the
workshop, to plan jointly . Mr. Thyagarajan feels that parenting being a very important
issue in the communities, for all age group children, one organisation, or one person cannot
do things, and it should be the joint effort with commitment.

When I told them that I am quite ready to conduct sessions, whenever they call, he was
very happy about it, and they may do so . They are also working in few districts of
Karnataka also for working children and .conducting non-formal education.

After meeting them, Mr.Sundaresh took us to a slum called Sathyanagar, in Fraser town
where they are doing lot of community work.
They have a file making unit and paper bag making unit for the women in the group.
All these women were waiting for us.
The field workers who took training were in charge of this center and a day care center
near by.
The DEEDS staff wanted me to talk to them about the Brain development, and the
importance of good environment at home.
Some of them had problems like eating , bedwetting. Told the mother about the reasons,
and also how important it is to not to talk about it. The child will feel more miserable. Dr.
was also able to calm the mother by telling her not to worry, and if she is tested for
infections and if that is not the cause, she may get over that soon. Mother was happy for
the concern and attention we gave to her problem. The doctor From CHC talked to them
about the importance of Hygiene, and De worming the children as well as the family people.
One of the mother brought her 5 year old child who is not talking, but otherwise all right.
I explained to them in the calendar, how some times the developmental delay can be
identified and helped by stimulating accordingly. Dr. also tested the child for hearing and
suggested what to do and where to go for testing.
Parents were all very happy with the staff of the DEEDS who are giving them lot of inputs
on parenting.

Most of the parents are all House maids, and they are also in the SHG .

We went to see their daycare nearby. Around 25 children were there who were all eating
Lunch. Gave them a suggestion to hang the calendar in the center .Staff told us that they
are now very much following the calendar. Earlier they were making the children write, but
now through play they teach. And also .only after 5 years they make them write in the
books.

After that, we visited another slum near Lalbagh called Ramana nagar, a big slum, but neat
with big roads. In fact even the earlier one also was very neat with big roads and good
houses.
We had a very interesting session with a large group of mothers in this center. It is a big
center with a programme co-ordinator Ms. Vijaya , doing various activities like, non-Formal
education for drop outs and working children,

Running day care for nearly 40 children, conducting women's group meetings, and field
visits. The staff who took parenting training Ms. Geetha and Ms. Prabha are very
enthusiastic and active ones.
The parents had brought their children between 1 month -2years along with them. The
older ones are all in the daycare, who were all sleeping.

They wanted me to talk to them some thing new. I started asking each one of them to tell
me what is it that they have understood by the calendar and the parenting workshop that
the DEEDS have conducted. So each one said one point which almost summed up ,alI the
parenting issues. The parents specifically wanted me to talk about Breast milk.
Some of the other issues that they wanted to discuss was. Over protectiveness,
comparison, thumb sucking, play„punishment.
I told them also couple of stories..
Few of the parents wanted to ask the doctor about family planning, bleeding during
menstruation and things like that.
Dr. Mary from CHC, though young, having 2 children, is a very concerned person and she
was talking to them very well, making them feel comfortable to ask about their health
problems. She told them about de worming, and how important it is to take care of
hygiene. And how important it is to teach children not to use outside roads as toilets, but
to go to the community toilets.
Here again, told them about general survey and their own personal experiences report.
They said they will send it by first week of December.
One of the staff who had a problem mother who was treating the child very harshly, and
because of that the child's development was not all right told me that her constant talking
to the mother and spending time with the child has helped a lot and now the child is fine
and doing well. He laughs and talks now. She said, all this was possible only because of the
training and the knowledge gained during the parenting workshop.
They were asking for few more calendars, for which they will contact Mr.Rajendran later.

Name of the Organization: - TRED, Talawadi
• Adivasis programme.
• Dalith women programme.
• Programme for persons with disabilities.
Name of the Participants:- 1. AAs.Jayalakshmi 2. Ms.M.Shantha
3. Ms.Shanthakumari
Report: -

1. Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Good awareness on parenting issues.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
•
They needed to know more parenting information during pregnancy.
3. The Nature of their work.
• Health workers.
♦ School health programme
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
»
Felt good about it.
•
Felt that workshop will be very useful for them to convey the parenting
messages in their community.
5. Review in May (After a month) Jayalakshmi, Shanthi
• Visited villages and used the parenting messages with the pregnant mothers.

-

-

Tribals feel they can look after their children. They told us there is no need for
you to come and tell us. The teachers in the school were very receptive and we
spoke about these ideas in our Monday Meeting. We will reach parents through
them.
Many villagers I spoke to were very happy to hear these ideas. My sister used to
beat her child k- I showed her LTPC. She said I was beating - without knowledge now I will avoid beating.
We can spread these messages in 7 villages. My sister has a young child. Through
LTPC I have shown her different activities she can do with her child and have time
she spends with her child will help its development.

6. Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
• They trained 4 more of their staff.
• 45 villages are within their field of work. They were able to contact balawadi
parents and teachers through the monthly meetings
• 1 to 5 standard parents were invited to witness in the evenings drama, role plays
and street theatre. The scripts have been developed by the staff and were found
to be a very effective method of disseminating the Parenting messages and
teaching Parenting skills.
• The Parenting values expressed in LTPC helps participants reach a higher level of
thinking.

7. Mr. Rajendran's visit to TRED—Thalawadi on 7th December, 2002.

The following report sent in by Mr. Rajendran . I could not go due to lot of disturbances in
that area during that time, as it is the area where Veerappan's adventure took place and
Mr. Nagappa was killed . I am planning to make a trip at a time when they are arranging a
workshop.

TRED is a grass root level organization working for tribal and scheduled caste people's
development in the remote and draught area of Talawadi in Tamilnadu.
They are covering 47 villages and community health programmes are going on in these
villages. Community based rehabilitation for handicapped is also one of their very effective
programme.
Following three health workers attended parenting skills training programme and they are
very effectively implementing the parenting programme in their area.
1. Ms. Jayalakshmi.
2. Ms.Shantha Kumari.
3. Ms.Shanthi.
There are seven health workers in TRED including the above,who got trained at Bangalore.
These three conducted parenting skills training for others. They discussed in detail the
use of LTPC.
They have conducted sessions in 21 villages for the women groups, about the parenting
skills. Approximately they have contacted 450 parents in their working area, and the
following are the villages they have contacted.
1. Igglore
5..Ellakatte.
2. Chikkahalli.
6. Marure.
3. Thalavadi
7. Kumgundapuram.
4. Balapadaga.
5. .

They have integrated the parenting programme with the community health programme. AAs
Nalini, Co-ordinator for community health programme said that every monthly meeting
they have discussed about the parenting programme and reviewed it.
From Januvary 2003 onwards, they have planned to conduct parenting sessions for 10
anganavadi children's parents in thalavadi thaluk. For that purpose they have requested 10
sets of Tamil Calendars immediaetly.

They would like to give 5 sets of kannada calendars to each women sangas of 45 villages.
Already they have contacted 21 villages, and the remaining they would in January
2003, For that they need 215 kannada printed calendars. They feel that the photo
copied version is not very clear. They Have requested to conduct refresher
workshop, and also to conduct 2 day workshops in February to the following at their
place. They have promised that they could organise teachers to attend.

o
•
•

All the health workers of TRED.(Refresher)
2 from 45 women sangas.
45 Balavadi teachers from 45 villages.

While interacting with the parents , they have expressed that this is very new to them,
and they have always thought about their work for their livelihood and neglected children.
Now they have realized the importance of love, care, talking with the children, playing with
them. This has helped them to understand new things in nurturing.

Health workers of TRED said, in the beginning the parents were not showing any interest
in this programme.
So, because of that, they decided to include in each of their health sessions, and talk
about parenting. This generated interest and slowly, they started showing lot of interest
in the calendars. These health workers are planning to prepare a street play on parenting,
and they have requested to send some scripts.

Name of the Organization: - Sanjivini Trust
• School Health programme.
• Child health and nutrition.
• Lobbying and advocacy.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Annapoorni 2. Ms.b.Ceetha
Report: -

1.
2.
3.

4.
5.

6.
•

©

•

6.

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Very good awareness on parenting issues.
Their needs from this Workshop
•
Needed to know finer aspects of parenting.
The Nature of their work.
o Health and adolescent programme workers.
Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
o
Very happy and felt it would be very useful for them.
Review in May (After a month)
• Not available, because they were not able to meet parents.
• But used it among relatives and friends.
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
Helped me to understand my child better and the need to be more pleasant with her
(CHC Naveen)
The LTPC gave me what I needed for the stage in which my niece was 8 months and she did not say much - we realized from the Calendar that therefore she
was in the care of her grandmother who rarely spoke - she had not received proper
stimulation.
lam under constant work and home pressure and get angry often LTPC was very useful
to me personally. It helped us with my 3 yrs. old niece who was throwing things around
- when we converted it into a play and understood it as such and stopped scolding her.
Things eased up - My sister was more relaxed - I gave her a Xerox copy (Sayan
Training).
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 (a month after training)
• Identification of the mal nourished children - and how to help the parents to
stimulate those children.
• Planning to use the Calendar in the Mother's group meetings.
•
When they are going to use the assessment scale (Like TECER scale), they can also
meet the Creche workers and the parents.

7.

Hema's visit to Sanjivini on 25/11/2002.

Mr. Rajendran and Dr. Mary from CMC also accompanied.

We met MS Annapoorna (Geetha), and Ms. Geetha at their office., Both of them attended
the parenting workshop. These 2 are founder members of sanjivini along with Dr. Zacharia

Interestingly, all the three of them were earlier working in Deena Seva sangha , in their
school Health Programme, and later got together to start Sanjivini" in 1996.
They have a small office in Dr. Zacharia's parent's compound, including them— 4 staff
members.

They make nutrition -supplement Flour and sell them at the premises.( Supplementary
food) It was very tasty and good. It is prepared by these 4 members only.
They run 3 school Health Programmes— in Austin town for 10th st students, Viveknagar
7th students in their 3 school, Neelasandra 7th students. They have prepared their own
curriculum. Their main area of work is the school Health Programme. They take training
programmes for health workers.

They have just started the Learning Through play calendar programme in the community.
They are working in a slum called Ambedkar nagar near Koramagala opposite to Asian
games village complex.
We went their and spent about 45 minutes in their center.

They have a class for 2-3 year olds called Stimulation class every day. One teacher and a
helper is taking care of that.
30 children are attending that class. Now they are planning to take parenting class for
these 30 parents .. So far they have done for 5 parents.
5 more parents had come at the time we went. They seem to be quite young parents. The
girls seems to be getting married very early and get children also. No family planning again,
and 4-5 children is common. According to sanjivini staff, mal-nutrition is very common. So
they focus on mal- nutrition—awareness on nutrition, monitoring the effect of the
nutrition supplement, immunisation, family planning. But they expressed, it is very difficult
to really change them, because men are not doing anything about all this. Here again, the
same storyjike men are not working, or alcoholics, children are not in school, drop out rate
is high, early marriage of girls. The reason seems to be, if the girl is by 16 very difficult to
protect her and take care of her, marriage is the safest way to keep her free from
problems of eve teasing or any other related problems.

Mr. Rajendran and Dr,Mary offered to help to talk to the men on alcoholism and family
planning , deworming . The DR. Feels the worms are the main cause for various problems in
children.

At their center which is small but kept well, they make the community women to prepare
Nutritious powder( Sathumavu),. 8 women are working for that and they are being paid.
The future programme—
They are planning to train their one teacher and the helper in the Learning through play
calendar , so that they can use it well and also talk to the parents.
And they are planning to contact all the 300 parents in the locality who are all in their
health programme to disseminate the parenting messages with the calendar. They are
planning to call them in small groups and do that. These women come to the center once a
month to collect the powder and weigh the children, and generally get checked for any
health problems.
They use puppets to convey health messages. They may use the same technique to convey
some of the parenting messages also.
They may be able to complete it by the end of January.

They will now give a report on what they have done so far with 5 parents and also their
own feedback on that. Briefly write a survey report.
We could not meet Dr. Veda . She had to go to attend some meeting. I will talk to her over
the phone later.

Name of the Organization: - TREbA
• Residential programme
• Primary rehabilitation.
• Aftercare services.
• Training programme in treatment of addiction and counseling.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.A.Joyce.
Report: 1. Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
«> Aware of the parenting issues.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
• Needs to know more about emotional aspects of children.
• Interested to know parenting points for adolescent children.
3. The Nature of their work.
• Working mainly in be addiction center as counselor.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
o Very useful.
o Felt empowering women with parenting messages is the best.
o And the calendar as a tool is very powerful.
5. Review in May (After a month)
• Very interesting report done in K>G>F? Parents did not show interest in the
beginning as they are all having problems of unemployment and poverty. But the
Calendar helped them to get them all to listen and be interested.
be-addiction and counseling Centre - Fridays.
- Empowering wives and mothers of alcoholics.
- Many are house-maids - no knowledge of the needs of their children.
We never new they wanted our companionship - even now we let them in front of
the T.V. - we now realize it teaches them so many bad things.

6.

Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
• Used the Calendar and the messages and the pictures very effectively in the
community. She was able to convince parents of problem teenage children. Why
their children are what they are, and how to get them back to development.

7.

Hema is yet to visit this organization

Name of the Organization: - Navajivan Mahila Sanga.
• Community health promotion.
• Women empowerment programme.
o Educational development.
» Organizing women domestic workers.
• Short stay home for women in distress
« Care for children.
• Value education and pastoral. Care.
Name of the Participants: - 1. Loordh Nayaki 2. Ms.M.Mary 3. Ms.Jyothi 4. Ms.Nirmala
5.Ms.Mocharani 6. Ms.Kannagi.

Report: -

1.

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Not much aware of parenting issues except Nutrition.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
• They are very concerned about behaviour and de-addiction of teenagers and
they want to be addressed through this programme.
• Since most of them visit slums often, they come across tshese problems.
• They want to know parenting about 12-21 years of children.
3. The Nature of their work.
• Community animators.
• Does lot of work with the community women.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
• Very happy and they felt the calendars are very useful for them

5.

Review in May (After a month) Kannagi, Nirmala, Rani, Jothi, Lourdu Nayaki
• Each one of them have given a report and have used the Calendar extensively
with the parents and felt them very useful. They have also used among sthe
neighbors and relatives.

-

I was always busy working in the field and never really botshered about my own
children. I am sure these messages would have helped me with my children.
Supported by SHG a Balwadi has been opened They appointed just any women and as a Creche worker she spent most of her time
starting at the children.Now we understand the need of age-appropriate actively
need for love - how to solve problem.
We are so involved with earning we seem to have forgotten these other important
things in life.

-

•
•

•

•

6.

My sister died leaving a 1 year old in our family. I have shown the LTPC to my
family members and they now feel more confident to bring up the child.
I was always scolding my children. Often abusing them - Saying "Get out" and "Get
lost".
I talked to my teenage son. We argue so much that I had not talked to him for 10
days.The messages in the LTPC touched my heart. I called and apologized to my
son. We are now starting to talk. We both like it.I am hoping to share it with my
friends and relatives even before I use it in my work.
When I spoke to a mother, she was angry and asked me to mind my own business.
But I stayed on and helped her bathe her baby. Now she was happy with the
comradeship and listened.
I have a 15 years old daughter - mentally retarded. I was always harsh with her
and cursed her for not acting her age.
LTPC brought to my knowledge that her development delay meant her mind was a
younger one.
I have started playing with her 5 year old games. She is less stubborn. She no
longer complains to her father. She tells every one - my mother is playing with me.
Her attitude to me has changed. I am so happy. I want to share with others.
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
• They used it for domestic workers and SHG's.
• Trained 8 animators in their organization.
o Planning to talk to youth and men in the community.
• Planning to talk to adult education group and girls groups in the community.
® bay care centers - parents and children - of 2-4 years. They have about 50
parents of which they had talked to at least 20..
• Main problem of these parents are writing - Children are not writing and reading
- Their expectation of 2-4 years.
• Using the Calendar to tell them about age appropriate activities.

7. Hema's visit to Navajivan
Visited a slum colony sudamanagar, where is doing field work.on 15.11/2002.
Mr. Rajendran had arranged a meeting with the parents of that colony . The sister from
navajivan had come there to meet us.
The reach out of Navajivan is unimaginable. They told me they would have conveyed the
parenting messages to somewhere around 2500 to 3000 people.
They are working in many slums, and the group of workers are very enthusiastic field
workers, and they want to talk to everybody about this parenting.

The field workers Ms. Kannagi and Ms Nirmala had arranged the meeting with the 40 to 45
parents in a small daycare run by Navajivan.
As I was searching for the place in the slums, I came across 2 anganavadi centers. So I
asked the navajivan staff why are they running a daycare similar to anganvadi when it is
already doing the work. They told me, that the slum is very huge and spread out, each
area within the slums is taken over by one oraganisation or the other, and the anganvadi is
there only where there is no other daycare. Akshra foundation is also doing lot of work in
that area. So when one goes there asking for places, they wont guide you if it is a
competing NGO.

It was a very sharing participatory session. Parents were all very eager to share their
experiences. There were many children also in various age group, which helped me to tell
them about development
They were very keen listeners when I told the stories, and they wanted to know why
children are not learning .
Elicited from them—what is the most required for good environment in the house. Each
one of them gave one which became a good starting point for me to talk about learning
environment. They were all very aware of the calendars.

They had many questions to ask and clarify which they did . Their main problem is their
own uncontrolled anger.
Most of them are house maids. And some of them are just house wives. There were few
young mothers who were very bright and intelligent. They expect a lot from their children
academically, and because of that punishment is very common.
They thanked me a lot and requested me to visit them once a month.
The report from the field workers will be given may be by the end of this month.
They have worked in many areas , in different slums. I have asked them to give a report
area wise, so that it will cover well.
They have also requested for ten sets of calendars , so that in each area they can keep
one set of the calendars in their center for any reference., or to lend.

Name of the Organization:- AP5A
• Skill training - slum out reach.
• Micro credit.
• Child labour, street children.
• Child help line and police training.
• Disability.
• Vikas.
• INCHARA
• Self help group project.

Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Chandana Shoba.
Report: -

1.
2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Not much aware of parenting issues.
Their needs from this Workshop
• Main concern is sickness.
• Needed to understand how to care for children.
The Nature of their work.
• Health worker. Mainly working with 14 year olds.
Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
• Found the Calendar very useful.
• They feel, if these kind of workshops are conducted in various placesand in
orphanages and other institution, then it will help, the caregivers also to
understand “Parenting" and the children will benefit.
Review in May (After a month)
• As they visit the slums regularly, they met parents and were able to convey the
messages and also help.
• They have around 200 children in their institution, which was useful to talk to
the caregivers.
70 shows - 3 months we have Parent meetings.
200 children - 1 month training.
2 year old treated like 7 ;month.
Realise need for water play, sand play - enjoyment and for us to take pre-caution
and safely. Using the Calendar to tell them about age appropriate activities.
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 (a month after training)
* bid not attend the July review

7.

Hema's visit APSA 11/11/2002.

It was a very different experience.
Met Mr. Lakshapathi, Their executive director.
He was telling us about the work and various activities that they are doing for street
children and child labour.
It is a very unique institution, housing nearly 250 boys and girls of all age group at a given
time, in a house called Namma mane. Both boys and girls are living together as one big
family. They have a very active skill training programme for them in electronics, tailoring,
and fine arts. They get huge orders from people and it is a very busy center , where
children are learning the skill under good teachers and also producing and selling.
What surprised me was, the 2 girls who attended our workshop Ms. Shoba and Ms.
Chandana, are wardens , and they manage these children excellently . Even though they
are young, they handle these children, some of them are really huge in size also and , they
seem to be natural parents doing parenting very well.. They were telling me, at nights they
manage the whole thing, and even any kind of emergencies. Of course the emergency
network is very good. But they told, the workshops on parenting is what gave them lot of
insight, and helped them to solve some difficult problems. Now they understand these
children better . They requested me to take sessions on parenting teenage children. They
need to know because they do have to talk to parents of these children.
I have requested them to send us a report giving us some of the episodes where the
parenting skill helped them.
Both of them expressed that the parenting programme helped them a lot in taking care of
these children, as it helped them personally .
It is a wonderful institution that one must visit.
But as for as their work as a follow up in parenting, they were not very sure about where
they can do it. Till now they have not used parenting in formation or the calendars to
dissiminate.
I suggested them to take sessions for the 70 field staff of theirs who go into the field
regularly., if necessary ,1 can also take some sessions for their field workers.
Apart from that, they have late adolescents ,both boys and girls in the institution, to
Iwhom they can talk to.
I Expressed it to their director, if any time they wish to call me to any group of people or
community where they are working, I will come.

Since the 2 girls were little unsure , I have also told them, if any time they need any
clarif ication, or would need my help to talk to any group , I will do so.

In fact all the children in their non formal education group were quite enthusiastic when I
told them I would come one day and talk to them.

I have also explained to them about the general socio economic survey. Since they have not
done any work, and the two of them haven't got much of a direct contact as they are not
field workers, but are in a position to train others ,whenever they train, they have to
collect the profile format of them.

They have also got a future plan to go to the community themselves and try it out.
As they are very busy with their own various activities, only now they are thinking of
parenting.
Their INCHARA programme is very interesting and is a good way of boosting child's self
esteem.
The boys were very proud to show their art work.

Name of the Organization:- APD
• Shradhanjali integrated school.
• Urban slum out reach programme.
• The ortho appliance center and physiotherapy unit.
• Industrial training center.
• Horticulture training.
• Home based programme.
• Communication and fund raising cell.

Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Amuda 2. Ms.K.S.Sunitha 3. Ms.Regina
Report: -

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
o Not much aware of parenting other than health..
2. Their needs from this Workshop
o Needed to understand other aspects of parenting.
3. The Nature of their work.
o They work with teachers, parents, anganwadi workers, adolescent groups. But
mainly on health awareness.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
• They felt we should have had more time to discuss and share more of actual
problems and they are facing in the field or others
• How to solve them.
• They found the calendar very useful.
® They need more calendars.
5. Review in May (After a month) Regina, Amudha, Sunitha
• No report available.
• But during the workshop, they shared lot of their experience and how they used
the parenting messages, how it was useful in some cases and how difficult in
some.
• One of them shared how she was able to actually help a parent who was very
abusive to the child earlier, and how because of that the child is delayed in
development.
My six month old child was being brought up by mother - who first feel her - now I
have learnt that talking is so essential and am talking to my child who has started
responding so well.
- The superstition of the mirror was in our home. I spoke to my husband and the
child now looks at the reflection and kisses it.
- My child was scared of many things - including the sight of an auto - My husband
and I held her and took he along familiarized now she is happy.
1.

•

-

-

6.

7.

My own children are grown up - yet the LTPC has made me aware of the need to
communicate. We will definitely use these hints for the next generation and make
our children play/interact with our grand children.
My sister is always comparing her two daughters. She was keen to see the LTPC to
check if her child were performing upto the mark. She however also learnt many
psyco-social messages, which were a gap in her interaction.
Many mothers in the Women's health were quite disinterested - They were quite
pre-occupied with poverty, economic and health issue - But we are sure that over a
period of time, they will response to these ideas.
They will think more once we use the methodology
you have taught to communicate.
When they saw the picture of playing, in the bath-tub
Their reaction was "No time".
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
o They gave 2 day training to their own staff members.
• They are covering 9 slums with 15 families each and are in the field 4 days a
week.
o They have divided the families between the staff to disseminate parenting
messages and were particularly appreciative of the communication skills that
they had picked up during the training programme..
• They are also visiting N&O day care centers and 22 anganwadis.
• They are planning to train the teachers and parents and also take the messages
through Home visits.
• Helped a parent to learn the parenting skill to deal with a very stubborn child.

Hema's visit to APO center on 8/11/02

Spent 3 hrs . Mr. Rajendran could not come.
APO is an excellent institution doing various activities for children. It is a huge campus
having many units. They have contact with children from pre primary to teens and late
teens., since they are running various programmes like school, vocational training centers,
producing equipment needed for physically disabled,. What impressed me most was their
horticulture, training disabled children in a certificate course . They have a wonderful
nursery, which is totally taken care of by these students.

I met their field workers who had attended our workshop and also those whom they have
trained on the calendar and doing lot of disseminating work in the field along with their co
ordinator for community development Ms.kamakshi. We had a meeting with all of them,
discussing the work so far they have done, and their future plan and their needs.
Discussed about how to report their parenting activities.
Following attended the meeting.

Ms. Kamakshi( co-ordinator), Ms. Manimala, Ms. Anthonyyamma, Ms.Amudha, Ms. Rakini,
Ms, Sunithamma, Ms. Regina. Ms. Narayanamma, Ms. Thulasi, Ms. Rani.
It was a very interesting sharing . They are in the field most of the time doing their work.
And during that time , they are able to talk to the parents about parenting as well as show
them the calendars. Their feedback is very good, and I have asked them to write a report
to us giving all those anecdotes so that it will be an interesting information for us.

Those who went through 2 day workshop conducted by those who were already trained,
expressed that this programme has helped them very much in their personal life,in their
family and with their children. All are young mothers. They have conveyed these messages
to their own mothers in law and mothers who are taking care of their children when they
are at work.
Most of the parents to whom they have gone are agarbatthi workers,who are available to
them at home.

They have reached out to nearly 200 parents or even more. I have asked them to give us a
general socio economic survey keeping the format as a base. Each one of them is going to
give their report.
They were very happy with my visit, because it clarified their doubts about certain issues
in parenting as well as in reporting.

Interestingly, they have called a meeting of 22 anganavadi workers in their field area, and
have talked to them about the parenting messages using the calendar.
They need calendars/kannada to give it to these anganvadi workers.
I have told them that I would like to interact with the anganvadi workers when they
conduct a meeting next time. In fact they were very happy and they are quite eager to call
me to meet the parents also next time , as their area of work is close to my place.
They have requested for 3 sets of kannada and tamil calendars each for their staff.
Ms. Kamakshi expressed , if possible to get the parents of the school children, and have an
awareness programme with them. She said that she will contact me at that time.

They do have a large no. of children in the age group of 18 -25 in their vocational unit as
well as in other units, who can be a target group to talk on the first 2 segments of the
parenting. All the students , though disabled ,are very high on their confidence level.
The report on the general socio economic survey, feedback with their experiences will be
sent later by them.

Name of the Organization:- MAYA
Facilitating local community participation (Mahila Sangas)
• Child community intervention.
• Community run pre schools.
• Child development centers.
• School information campaign.
• Pre vocational programme.
• Vocational training and income generation.
• Self help.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Mubarak 2. Ms.Rani 3. Ms.Shamshunnisa 4. Ms.Motcha
5. Ms.Roopa 6. Ms.Maheswari 7. Ms.Venkatamma
8. Ms.Jabeena Taj 9. AAs.Mumtajunneesa
10. Ms.Vijaya, (Co-ordinator)
Report: -

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Fairly good idea about parenting issues.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
• As their nature of work is so varied, they needed parenting information on all
age group.
3. The Nature of their work.
• Pre school teachers and co-ordinators.
• Field workers working with Child labor. Women groups. School drop-outs,
teenage children.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
• Wanted to know more on health and nutrition.
• Most of them have expressed that this workshop helped them personally.
• Very useful in their field of work.
5. Review in May (After a month) Jabeen, Ta j
• Used the Calendar and the parenting messages in different situations and very
happy with the effect.
Hesitant to share - we realised it had brought back implement memories. "I could not do
anything" - when we assured her she was meant to" Then she shared her feelings of
acceptance of the LTPC.
- We run 50 pre-schools - Parents do not know any of the activities that are
necessary for the child - No knowledge of age-appropriate.
We will use this in our Creches as well as tell parents.

1.

Have used it with my neighbours who have a variety of children in different age
groups.
I used it in the bus to talk to a fellow passenger.
In a function I met 15 parents - many fathers who were all quite interested to hear
what I had to say.
We all really liked what we heard so much love we never gave our children. In fact
often we were quite harsh with them. The LTPC has made me change my attitude
to my older children. I am talking to them and Ithey like it.
Surely we will help other parents as well.
6.

Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
o They want more calendars in Urdu, Kannada and Tamil.
• They shared many situations where they could help the parents.
® Used the Calendar to convey the parenting message for 8 year old child who was
handicapped, could not speak and was always huddled up in the corner. .LTPC
helped the parents to understand the importance of gentle touch and care and
stimulation, and within a few weeks the child started to respond and smile.
A 7 year old hyperactive child was also helped through the Calendar. The
constant crying of a 11 month old baby was solved when parents understood that
children can naturally have stranger anxiety.
• They were all very enthusiastic about the programme and were very confident
to take this forward.
• All of them were very appreciative of these 5 day workshop, and every one of
them have expressed, that it helped them to understand themselves better, and
there has been a change in their attitude.
o They have expressed, it has helped them personally to build better relationship
with their own family and understand their parents better.
• They have all used the calendar for all age groups to convey the parenting
values. They have used the pictures very successfully to convey a parenting
point like, love, touch, care, etc....
• They have all told and written how well it was presented and how interesting it
was. They were very impressed with the team.

7,

Hema's visit to MAYA on 28/11/2002.

MAYA's office is located in a very nice place in Jayanagar , in a residential locality. It is
very busy with many young women working as coordinators in their various programmes.
Very neat and nice office. All the furniture in the office , very beautifully done, are made
by the students in their vocational training center. They admit students ,if they show
interest from the low income group and slums. There is no restriction of passing 10th, as it
is not recognised by the govt. But children get their certif icate, and it is vocational
training and income generating programme , as they sell their products done by the
students. They are able to get employment for all of them.

Met Ms.Rashmi, and Ms. Veena.
AAs. Rashmi is in charge of all the community programmes.
AAs. Veena is the chief co-ordinator for their 84 preschool programme. She is not still
familiar with the Learning Through Play calendar. Later other few coordinators under her
joined us, but they are also not familiar with the calendar. They said that they have'nt
looked at it at all.
Those who attended workshop are all community Based organisers picked from the
communities. There is no direct control or contact on daily basis with them . These
Community based organisers(CBO)) monitor the preschools in their areas.
So what I could understand, non of their coordinators who are directly involved in running
their 84 preschool centers in slums, are familiar with the Joy Of parenting programme and
the learning through play calendars. They are all child development or home science
graduates interested in field work, and they do talk to the parents about care, but not
referring to our material.

Ms. Veena is in charge and co-ordinating all the activities of the 84 preschools. ,in
bannegatta(lOOOOfamilies), Vinayaknagar(5000 families), Azad nagar(4000fami lies).
They have contacts with all these families either through preschools, or non-formal
education centers, women's co-operatives, and SHGs, child labour programmes, school
betterment programmes in govt.schools.
There is a coordinator for each of these localities . They are Ms.Savitha, AAs.sandya, and
AAs.Rani, who in turn directly involved with the teachers of 84 preschools and the CBOs. I
met all these 3 co-ordinators, and they felt, that they themselves need to get oriented
with the calendar and the programme. The one co-ordinator who came along with the CBOS
for our workshop,ms.Vijaya is no more with them and infact she did not attend the
following 3 days in june.

Under These coordinators, there are 84 preschool teachers and 84 helpers. They need to
be trained in the calendar, as they are the most important communicators to the
community.
Ms. Rashmi has suggested that I give them an orientation talk in their monthly meeting ,
on 13th /and 16th of december. And then conduct 4-5 half day workshops on calendar

after getting them enroled. They seem to have their own way of doing that. These
workshops can be conducted in all the 3 areas getting that area teachers to-gether. That
is what they have planned.
They will contact CHC and let us know.
What they require for these workshops , is the tamil calendars, kannada calendars and the
urdu calendars. Majority are tamilians and muslims in most of the bangalore slums. Rarely
come across a total kannadiga.
Once that is done , then may be it is possible for them to reach out to large no. of parents.
MAYA"s reach out is mind boggling, nearly 20 to 30000 families in many slums through
their various programmes.
Each preschool has 25 to 30 children. (84x30=2520), 30 rs fees per month , and thrice a
week , they supplement nutrition.
So their reach out to parents through schools itself is so very large. Apart from that
they have SHGs. Women co-operatives, and parents of their non formal group.
One of their co-ordinator was sharing that the Akshara foundation, (Wherever we are
going , in all the slums, akshara foundation seems to have taken over , providing free
education, and mid day meal, running day care centers etc ) is doing lot of work and is
also running preschools but free of charge, and because of that these parents send them
there, but few of them get back ,as they find this very good.

After the meeting in the office, we went and visited one of their area of work in a slum
called viveknagar, near city market area. They had arranged a meeting with the parents of
one play school. Again, no family planning, all tamilians, and young mothers.with 4-5
children. Infact I joked with them , that they seem to be so very experienced with
parenting with so many children, that I may have to learn a thing or two from them. They
are all very happy with the preschool teachers. They were saying, after coming to this
school, children are talking better, learning to eat by them selves, and they are clean.
Some of them who were earlier talking bad language is not doing it now. One who was not
calling me amma is now calling. Lot of positive feedback about the school
When asked what is the main problem for them in caring children, it is again alcoholism
which disturbs them. They wanted to know how to control anger, and not beating the child ,
when I told them about creating a learning environment for children.
Most of them are agarbatthi workers. Few are staying at home. Few are housemaids.
I came to know later, that the area is ganja producing area. So may be lot of addiction
problem among children. But strangely, in this area, I did not see many boys hanging around
like in other places.

Name of the Organization: - CHC

Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Noren Hoskinqs 2. Mr.Rajendran 3. Mr.C.James
4. Mr.Prahalad
Report:1.

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about

9

2.

Their needs from this Workshop
o

The Nature of their work.
• Co-ordinators
o Researcher.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
o
Very useful and good.
5. Review in May (After a month)
o They, the participants does not work directly on the field.
6. Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
« The workshops created lot of interest in the subject and awareness has helped
them in their attitude and in their work.
o CHC is more keen to pursue the process of Networking on Parenting •
o Mr. Rajendran has been given complete charge of co-ordinating the programme,
arranging meetings etc. on behalf of BMRF in Banagalore.

3.

Name of the Organization: - Belaku
• Exploration of socio-cultural determinants.
• Of obstetric care and maternity outcomes in Kanakapura villages.
• Care of infants and feeding practices.
• Life values - a study of sexuality and sexual behaviour among adolescents in
Kanakapura villages.
• Training women in basic health care during pregnancy and infants, delivery post
natal periods.
Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.Mani

2. Ms.Mallika

Report: -

1.
2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Awareness on parenting issues other than health and hygiene was not good.
Their needs from this Workshop
• Needed to know more about other aspects of parenting like emotional and social.
The Nature of their work.
• Mostly working with pregnant mothers and child birth.
o They are called as investigators.
• They meet women very often in their field of work.
Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
• They felt the messages take up lot of time and is difficult to do it as part of
their intervention programme.
• They feel this has to be a total programme by itself.
• Very happy about the workshop, enjoyed, learnt a lot on parenting.
• They felt that they learnt a lot of new things.
Review in May (After a month)
• Visited many homes as part of their work. Talking about brain development
helped them talk to the women and get them interested.
Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
Did not attend. Indicated their inability to join the partnership

Name of the Organization:- World Vision

Name of the Participants:- 1. Ms.J.Cirija 2. Ms.S.Christy 3. Ms.Vijayarani
Report: 1. Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Not much aware of the parenting issues.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
• Needed to know 6-10 year old parenting issues..
3. The Nature of their work.
« Day care center teachers and self help group animators.
4. Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
• Very useful workshop.
o Learnt a lot about parenting in theses two days.
• Would like to know more about Nutrition of each stage.
5. Review in May (After a month)
o Contacted parents.
• Used the parenting messages and the calendar well, and felt it was very useful.
World Vision - Christy, Vijay Rani
sponsored children's programme - Many parents have no time to do what we ask
them.
SHG meetings - they are unlettered and have requested we give them a few
messages each meeting.
o I went home and shared with my husband the same night. I experienced the joy
in my have before I tell makkilu"
In my elder sister's house, I spoke to my brother-in-law to play a more
supportive role. He is at present out of work. I convinced him his children and
wife would bond with him better if he took responsibility.
He was convinced - I think it will work. My nephew eats better - while he eats
they are playing.
» I learnt patience with children from the Programme. When I spoke to my
friends and relatives - they teased me saying I was too young. My mother
supported me and all the messages.
I am sure I can help my friends, nieces, nephews, children on the community and
of course my children what I have them.
• Hrudaya Mary - Preethi - SHG
We have five (“hallis") villages in our case and while we run meetings some
parents do not care.
We feel we can convey these messages through Home-visiting.
It is an important that we have understood that " Calata" is play for the child.
Elders get angry and scold the child we now know it wrong.
Children must play and express their feelings.

Alamelu-&owri-Maya - I was told to attend. Now I have learnt. Child
Development and as a result of the sessions. My body language and words with
children has changed.
While I was not able to do much in the field I used it - when I went at a mothers
meet talked to the 10 families.
When they posed a few ”Q" it was a plumber's wife who helped give solutions. I
realized that parenting when its comes naturally and is enjoyed the right insights
also come automatically.
My kids have grown up and I realize that there is great need to make proper use of
the word No.l.
• Mallika - Research Project Billaku
We are making parents of young children.
We showed this Panchangam to them and used it as information to support their
child's development.
We would like you to give a few more examples in the training.
Most parents have a time problem ignorance therefore they are uneducated. But
we will make a trial in 2 courses.

«>

-

-

-

-

6.

Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
Did not attend. Indicated their inability to join the partnership

Name of the Organization: - Dalith Kranthi Chaluvali (Preethi Mahilodaya)
Name of the Participants: - 1. Ms.Erudaya Mary
Report: -

1. Pre workshop parenting issues that they were concerned about
• Not much of awareness on issues other than Nutrition and health.
2. Their needs from this Workshop
«
Needed to know what is parenting.
•
How to parent 6-10 year olds.
3. The Nature of their work.
• Health Worker.
O
Feedback after the first 2 days of the Workshop in April
•
Wants to take this programme more and more to village parents.
5. Review in May (After a month)
o Used the Calendar extensively and she felt very good about the response and the
effect. It helped the parents to change.

4.

6.

Feedback and sharing of their experiences in July 2002 ( a month after training)
Did not attend. Indicated their inability to join the partnership

Media: RF_CH_14.1_SUDHA.pdf

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