The EkStep Foundation and NDTV organized the Made In Play Summit in Delhi to champion play as a source of joy and learning [1, 2].
The gathering addresses the critical need to integrate play-based education into early childhood development to ensure holistic growth and well-being for children.
The event took place on June 2 [1]. It brought together a diverse group of attendees, including educators, experts, parents, and creators [1, 2]. The summit focused on highlighting how play serves as a fundamental tool for learning and growth during a child's formative years [1, 2].
Organizers designed the summit to promote play-based education as a primary method for fostering childhood well-being [1, 2]. By gathering specialists and practitioners in Delhi [1], the event sought to create a collaborative environment where the benefits of play could be analyzed and scaled across educational systems.
The summit emphasized that play is not merely a recreational activity but a cognitive necessity [1, 2]. Participants discussed strategies to move away from rigid instructional models toward more flexible, play-centric environments that encourage curiosity and discovery.
Through these discussions, the EkStep Foundation and NDTV aimed to shift the perception of play among parents and policymakers [1, 2]. The goal is to ensure that every child has access to environments where learning begins with play, thereby improving long-term educational outcomes and emotional health [2].
“The Made In Play Summit champion[s] play as a source of joy and learning.”
The summit reflects a growing global shift toward pedagogical models that prioritize social-emotional learning over rote memorization. By partnering a foundation with a major media entity like NDTV, the organizers are attempting to bridge the gap between academic research on play-based learning and the practical application of these methods in households and classrooms across India.
