The article is written by Ms Soumyashree Mohanty, Research Associate, and Ms Dola Sairupa, Project Coordinator CYDA.
Early childhood is a crucial stage in a child’s life. It lays the foundation for their physical, emotional, and intellectual development. Studies show that young children learn quickly, and their minds are like clean slates—ready to absorb new ideas and behaviours. However, to grow and learn well, they need a nurturing environment that supports their overall development.
Providing education alone is not enough. It must be high-quality, engaging, and in tune with modern methods and technology. Children learn best when lessons are fun and interactive. Traditional teaching methods are slowly being replaced by digital tools that make learning more exciting. Schools and early learning centres (Anganwadi centres) should be welcoming spaces where children are eager to come, learn, and grow.
While some schools in urban areas are well-equipped, many rural centers still lack basic infrastructure. In particular, Anganwadi centers—which play a key role in early childhood care in rural areas—often don’t have the resources to support children’s learning needs.
To address this gap, CYDA (Centre for Youth and Development Activities), in partnership with HDFC Bank Parivartan, launched the Smart Anganwadi Project in seven locations ( Durshed, Padmanagar, Srinivasanagar, Jubilee Nagar, Katrapally, Mulkanoor, and Garshakurthi ) across Telangana’s Karimnagar district.
Transforming the Learning Environment
The main goal of the project is to create joyful, engaging, and safe spaces for children aged 3 to 6 years. Each Anganwadi was redesigned with colorful Bala paintings—educational wall visuals featuring alphabets, numbers, animals, and shapes. These paintings made the classrooms vibrant and help children learn through visuals that they can easily connect with.
Anganwadi
Bringing Technology into Classrooms
One of the major changes was introducing digital learning. Each centre received a 32-inch television to play rhymes, stories, and educational videos. For many children, this was their first time seeing a screen in a classroom. The effect was immediate—children became more curious, attentive, and excited to attend school.
The digital content helped improve listening skills, memory, and language development in a fun and interactive way. After the installation, teachers noticed that children were more interested in learning, especially during rhyme and story sessions.
“My daughter used to be very shy. Now she tells me the stories she saw on TV and sings new rhymes every day,” shared Kavitha, a parent from Jubilee Nagar.
Learning Through Play
Play is essential for both the mental and physical growth of children. Unfortunately, most Anganwadis lacked basic play equipment. During the project, each center was provided with a complete set of indoor and outdoor play materials—slides, ball pools, see-saws, horse rockers, and soft floor mats. These tools help children build physical strength, improve coordination, and learn to interact with others.
For many children, it was the first time they had access to various toys in a safe and structured space. The classrooms are now filled with laughter, movement, and active learning.
“Children are more active and confident now. They love playing and learning together,” said Padma, a teacher from Durshed AWC.
“Before this, the classroom was bare and quiet. Now it’s full of colour, sound, and smiles,” added Sujatha, an Anganwadi teacher from Katrapally.
The Smart Anganwadi Project has directly impacted over 210 children and seven Anganwadi workers. But more than the numbers, it has brought real joy, energy, and hope to children and their families. This project shows how a few meaningful changes—colourful classrooms, digital tools, and play spaces—can make a big difference in a child’s life. With continued support, more Anganwadis can become spaces where every child has the chance to learn, play, and grow to their full potential.
