Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government will organise a special storytelling activity titled ‘Aao Sunein Aur Sunayein Kahani’ (Come, Let’s Listen and Tell Stories) across co-located Anganwadi centres, Balvatikas and District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) on September 8, marking International Literacy Day.
The initiative, being undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, aims to strengthen the foundation of basic education from the Balvatika level by using storytelling as an engaging tool to develop language skills, imagination, expression and creative thinking among young children.
Basic Education Minister of State (Independent Charge) Sandeep Singh said the government was linking learning with joy and creativity to provide children with a strong foundation in basic education.
“Activities such as ‘Aao Sunein Aur Sunayein Kahani’ will help develop language, imagination and expression among Balvatika children,” he said.
Director General of School Education Monika Rani said storytelling was a natural and effective medium through which children learn, think and express themselves. She said the activity would encourage imagination and creative thinking while helping establish a strong foundation for literacy.
Organised under the directions of Monika Rani, the programme has been designed to develop children’s listening and comprehension skills, encourage them to express their thoughts and promote imagination and creativity through stories.
Storytelling Followed by Creative Activities
At co-located Anganwadi centres and Balvatikas, the storytelling session will follow a welcome activity and free play. Teachers and facilitators will select an age-appropriate story from the Big Book provided at the state level or a suitable local story, preferably one carrying a meaningful moral or social message.
During the storytelling session, children will be asked both closed-ended and open-ended questions and encouraged to respond in their own words. Following the story, children will be invited to draw pictures based on what they have heard and given an opportunity to explain their drawings and share their thoughts.
Similar storytelling, interaction, question-and-answer and creative activities will also be organised at DIETs. Anganwadi workers, Academic Resource Persons, children and parents from nearby Balvatikas will be invited to participate.
Children will be provided paper and colours to express their ideas through drawings. Their artwork will be displayed and appreciated as part of the activity, encouraging confidence and creativity.
The programme will also ensure the participation of head teachers, Anganwadi workers and teaching support staff at all Balvatikas, creating a collaborative environment for early learning and literacy development.
The government expects the initiative to make foundational learning more engaging while nurturing communication, creativity and curiosity among children at an early stage.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
