The Made In Play Summit gathered educators, experts, parents, and creators to celebrate the role of play in shaping healthier childhoods.

Advocates argue that prioritizing play is not a luxury but a necessity for cognitive growth. By framing play as essential infrastructure, the summit sought to shift how society views the intersection of learning and well-being.

Organized by Bachpan Manao in partnership with the EkStep Foundation and NDTV, the event coincided with the International Day of Play on March 21, 2024 [1]. The summit focused on why play is critical for learning, growth, creativity, and general well-being [1].

Participants discussed the biological and psychological foundations of childhood development. The event emphasized that play supports brain development and fosters an environment where children can explore their surroundings without the pressure of formal instruction [2].

Rohini Nilekani addressed the innate nature of childhood during the event. "Every child is born wired for curiosity, wonder and play," Nilekani said [3].

By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, including creators and parents, the organizers aimed to create a shared understanding of play's utility [1]. The discussion highlighted that when children are given the space to play, they develop critical problem-solving skills that serve them throughout their adult lives [2].

The summit served as a call to action for policymakers and educators to integrate play-based learning into the broader educational landscape. The goal is to ensure that every child has access to the environments required for this developmental infrastructure to function [2].

“"Every child is born wired for curiosity, wonder and play."”

The shift toward viewing play as 'infrastructure' suggests a move away from seeing recreation as a break from learning and toward seeing it as the primary vehicle for it. By aligning with an international day of recognition, the organizers are attempting to institutionalize play-based development within formal education and urban planning systems.