India Mar 10: Dost Education hosted “Talk, Care, Play”, a convening that brought together educators, caregivers, system leaders, and partners to spotlight the role of responsive and playful caregiving in strengthening early childhood development in India. The half-day gathering focused on how everyday interactions between caregivers and young children can significantly improve early language development and school readiness.
The event opened with a presentation by Dost Education on responsive caregiving, highlighting research and insights on how consistent engagement through conversation, play, and emotional connection helps build strong foundations for learning in the early years. Participants also engaged in interactive play sessions that demonstrated simple and practical ways caregivers can incorporate learning into everyday routines.
The convening featured two panel discussions addressing key themes shaping early childhood development in the country. The first panel explored how systems and institutions can better support playful parenting and equip caregivers with the tools and confidence to nurture early learning at home as a pathway to school readiness. The second panel focused on shared caregiving and discussed the importance of bringing fathers more actively into the care economy and children’s early learning journeys.
Throughout the event, participants emphasized the importance of placing caregivers at the centre of early learning strategies, recognizing that a child’s first classroom is often their home and the everyday moments shared with family members.
Dost Education works with families of children aged 0–6 through its Talk, Care, Play framework, providing simple, research-backed tools that help caregivers nurture early language and cognitive development. Through accessible digital platforms such as audio-based parenting support and WhatsApp-enabled engagement, along with partnerships with frontline Anganwadi workers and community circles, Dost continues to expand access to early learning resources for families across India.
To date, Dost Education has reached over 5.5 lakh families across 9 states, with a majority of participating caregivers reporting increased engagement in talking, reading, and playing with their children. Many children in these families have also shown measurable improvements in language development.
Richa Shukla, CEO of Dost Education, said: “Early learning begins in the everyday moments between caregivers and children — in conversation, in play, and in shared curiosity. When parents are supported with simple and practical tools, they gain the confidence to turn routine interactions into meaningful learning experiences. ‘Talk, Care, Play’ is about recognizing caregivers as a child’s first and most important teachers.”
The convening concluded with networking and community engagement, reinforcing the importance of collaboration among educators, caregivers, and system leaders to strengthen early childhood development and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.
