Bachpan Manao: The Big Role Of Free Play In Little Lives

New Delhi: In the whirlwind of parenting, teaching, and ticking off developmental milestones, it's easy to forget one simple truth: children learn best when they play. Not through drills or flashcards but through laughter, curiosity, and messy, magical, free play.

The early years of a child's life, especially the first eight, are a time of rapid brain development. These years lay the groundwork for everything to come: how they think, how they express themselves, how they relate to others, and even how they learn as adults. And what unlocks that magical process? Play.

Why Free Play Matters?

Free play is unstructured, child-led, and joyful. It's when kids invent games, act out stories, explore their environment, and make up rules as they go. It might look like simple fun, but underneath, important things are happening.

Children are building:

• Cognitive skills by imagining and solving problems

• Social skills by navigating friendships and disagreements

• Emotional intelligence by expressing feelings and developing empathy

• Physical coordination through movement and active exploration

Recognizing this, EkStep Foundation and NDTV have joined hands and have kick-started the “Bachpan Manao” movement, a campaign that champions the power of play in early childhood. This initiative emphasizes the importance of allowing children the freedom to explore, imagine, and create through unstructured play. It celebrates the idea that joy, curiosity, and creativity are not just parts of play, they are the essence of learning.

“Creating spaces for play is one of the most essential requirements at both the policy and scientific levels,” says Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnership at EkStep Foundation.

A Movement For Childhood: Bachpan Manao

Bachpan Manao, at the heart of this campaign is the belief that learning doesn't have to be forced, it can (and should) come naturally, through joy. Amita Tandon, Education Specialist at UNICEF Gujarat, echoes this sentiment:

“Incorporating play into children's daily routines nurtures creativity, social skills, and emotional well-being.”

Free Play - Is More Than Just Fun

Free play also serves as a powerful emotional outlet. In a world where children are often asked to sit still, follow rules, and meet expectations, play gives them the chance to let go, process their feelings, and try on different roles. “Play is a part of our culture,” says Dr. Gayatri Menon, Principal Faculty at the National Institute of Design.

“When children engage in play, they are learning on their own. Play and learning are closely intertwined.”

This kind of self-driven exploration leads to stronger problem-solving skills and a greater sense of self-confidence. It's not just a break from learning, it is learning.

The Window Of Opportunity

Research tells us that by the age of nine, most cognitive development is nearly complete. These early years are a once-in-a-lifetime window to build the foundation for lifelong learning, emotional strength, and creativity.

“If we overlook these crucial early years. We lose valuable opportunities for a child's future.” warns Shri Rajender Kumar, Secretary of Tourism for the Government of Gujarat."

Love, Care And Play

At the end of the day, children don't need much, just love, care, and the freedom to explore their world through play. Somya Nand, Co-founder of Gubbachi Learning Community, puts it beautifully:

“All we need to do is provide love and care to children, giving them ample opportunities to learn through play.”

So whether it's building a pillow fort, pretending to run a zoo, or simply chasing butterflies in the park, know that every playful moment is a building block for something much bigger.

Let's Reclaim Childhood With Bachpan Manao

The Bachpan Manao movement is a call to action for parents, teachers, communities, and policymakers: let's make room for more joy. Let's prioritize play, not just as a break from learning, but as the most powerful form of it. Because the best gift we can give our children isn't more pressure, it's more play.