In a first of its kind event, the district of Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh saw more than 500 Anganwadis and their supporting villages and community members celebrating their youngest children. In the past 3 years, the District Dept of Women and Child Development has been making progress in ensuring the best quality Early Childhood Education in their Anganwadis under the leadership of District Collector, Parth Jaiswal with the able guidance of the DPO, Rajiv Singh. They have taken multiple steps to improve infrastructure, curriculum, training for the Anganwadi workers and helpers and even launched programs to involve the parents in learning activities through play. The district has partnered with Key Education Foundation as an Early Childhood Education technical partner. Notably, he culmination of all these efforts as learning and play are celebrated not just by Anganwadis but by the communities at large. District officials, parents, grandparents and all others came to the Anganwadis to play, learn and recognize the importance of the early childhood years. The Anganwadi Workers have prepared all week to ensure that families can experience the Anganwadi activities as children do. Anganwadis witnessed children and families playing together, doing activities, participating in games, observing displays of childrens work and most importantly having fun together. "I did not even realize how time flew by this week enjoying Bachpan Manao preparation with the community. I also felt good showing the learning stations that I set up to the parents. I would like to do this every year" said Sarita Agrawal, Anganwadi Worker. "Parents were so happy today to come and see how much their children are learning in the Anganwadis. It sends a great message to members of the community who hesitate to send their children to Anganwadi. We must continue to strive for this excellence in all our Anganwadis" - Sushma Ahirwar, Anganwadi Supervisor. The district used creative methods like handmade invitations by the children and radio bulletins to ensure maximum awareness and participation in Bachpan Manao. "The district awarded certificates to every child to recognize their uniqueness and celebrate their performance. It is an effort to recognize and ensure a ripple effect in the mindset change to put the child at the centre and the best way to do that is to recognize the child in us Bachpan Manao is a good way to put the focus on every child at a local level by celebrating childhood in every Anganwadi and village." - Rajiv Singh, DPO.

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