About the Sessions: 

Research shows that the first 6 to 8 years of a child’s life are the most critical for a healthy lifelong development. Recent studies in the field of neuroscience have provided convincing evidence of ‘critical periods’ within these early years for the formation of synaptic connections in the brain and a full development of the brain’s potential. What follows logically is the crucial importance of investing in these early years to ensure a sound foundation for life. While eminent educationists like - Froebel, Montessori, Steiner, Reggio Emelia - may have different approaches to early childhood education, play finds an important role in all their practices.

All Things Play with Urvashi Nangia aims to bring the focus back on play. These sessions will include sensory, symbolic, physical and pretend play. In the process, a broad range of development domains - namely cognitive, linguistic, personal, social, emotional, sensory, spiritual, physical and motor skills - will also be honed. 

About the Facilitator:

Urvashi Nangia Dua has an M.Sc. in Economics from London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE), an M.Phil. in Education from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and has been working in the Education sector for the last 10 years. Her work focuses on pre-primary / elementary education for the underprivileged. 

She has worked extensively on Public Policy, Program Management, Monitoring & Evaluation of initiatives in education. She has also been involved with implementation and research at the school-level, where her work has revolved around Curriculum Development, Pedagogy, Philosophical Foundations of Education and Student Assessments. 

Urvashi has had the privilege of working with noted development economist Prof. Jean Drèze and much-loved educationist Padma Shri Dr. Arvind Gupta. She has presented her work at numerous conferences including Contemporary Education Society of India (CESI) and Indian Institute of Education (IIE). Some of her articles can be found in the Teacher Plus Magazine and The New Leam. 

Urvashi is passionate about an education that fosters joy, wonder, kindness, compassion, understanding and freedom. Currently, she is delightfully engaged in raising her two-year-old alongwith working as an Independent Consultant in the education sector.