The Made In Play Summit brought together educators, experts, parents, and creators to discuss why play is essential for every child [1].
This gathering addresses the critical role of play as a foundation for learning and well-being. By treating play as essential infrastructure, the summit aims to reshape how adults perceive the growth and creativity of children [1].
The event was organized through a partnership between Bachpan Manao, the EkStep Foundation, and NDTV [1]. The summit focused on celebrating the power of play in shaping childhoods that are both healthier and happier [2].
Participants discussed how play serves as a primary driver for cognitive and emotional development. The organizers said that play is not merely a leisure activity—it is a necessary component for a child's overall growth [1].
Rohini Nilekani addressed the biological necessity of play during the event. She said that children are naturally inclined toward exploration and discovery [2].
"Every child is born wired for curiosity, wonder and play," Nilekani said. "That's not sentiment - it's biology. The crisis isn't that children don't know how to play; it's that adults have forgotten how to let them" [2].
The summit sought to challenge the modern tendency to prioritize structured academic achievement over unstructured play. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the organizers aimed to create a shared understanding of how to support a child's innate need for play [1].
“Every child is born wired for curiosity, wonder and play.”
The summit signals a shift toward integrating play-based learning into formal developmental frameworks. By framing play as 'infrastructure' rather than a break from education, the organizers are advocating for a systemic change in how early childhood environments are designed and managed.
