LECIN

Our baseline assessments are currently underway across the six schools where we work in Greater Noida.

These assessments will help us understand what children already know, which skills they have developed, and the level they are currently at.

These assessments are a powerful way for us to understand whether our programmes are actually working and, more importantly, what we need to do better as educators in the classroom.

The purpose of assessment is not to judge or label a child based on what they can or cannot do. It is a way for us to understand where children are, reflect on our own teaching and programme, and ask ourselves: What is working? What is not working? And what do we need to change or improve?

Birding: A Way to Connect with Nature

This week, as part of our Pause & Reflect week, our core team members came together in Dehradun. And among all the things we did, two mornings of birding became a very special experience.

For many of our team members, it was their first time using binoculars. They learnt how to use them, looked closely at birds, listened to their calls, observed their habitats and together, we spotted more than 60 species of birds.

The walks were led by Ankush Panwar | Slow birder | Educator ⁩, who has slowly become quite the bird expert and now regularly takes people on bird walks around Dehradun. 😊

But this was not just about identifying birds. It was about slowing down, observing, noticing and appreciating the world around us.

We spoke about where birds live, what they eat, how they behave and how closely their lives are connected to the spaces we share with them.

And we realised how different it feels to learn about something when you actually experience it.

This is something we want to take back to our classrooms.

Birds, animals and insects are themes we explore with our young children in government Anganwadis and schools.

Soon, our educators & Ankush will take children on bird walks - not simply to teach them the names of birds, but to give them an opportunity to observe, ask questions, wonder, explore and develop a relationship with nature.

Because perhaps, before we ask children to protect nature, we need to give them opportunities to experience it, notice its beauty and feel connected to it.

This week, our Grade 1 children in Village Pachaytan explored the theme of “Our Homes.” 🏠

After a wonderful discussion about their homes, the children collectively created a large map of a house. They drew the different things they have at home, designed rooms, and, with the support of our educator, Jyoti ji, they mapped and labelled their entire houses.

It was heartwarming to see children bring their own experiences into the classroom - talking about their homes, sharing what they have, and connecting their everyday lives with their learning.

The classroom experience was followed by home visits to some of the children’s houses. This was special because, for many of these children, it was the first time a teacher had ever visited their home.

The children were incredibly excited to take their Jyoti ma’am home and show her their world.

During the visits, Jyoti ji also met the parents, discussed the children’s progress, and encouraged them to stay connected with the school and be more involved in their children’s learning journey.

From drawing their homes in the classroom to proudly taking their educator home - this was learning that moved beyond the classroom and connected children’s learning with their real lives. ❤️

Learning starts with the self - knowing yourself and your body, asking questions, and observing closely.

This is what happened during a self-portrait activity with the Grade 1 children at Pachaytan School.

Last week, Rohit Kumar attended the face-to-face interactions at Azim Premji University, Bengaluru under his certificate course in curriculum development in ECE. The sessions focused on content development for the Foundational Stage, bringing science and inquiry into classrooms, how we as educator can be creative to nurture creativity among children, understanding early literacy, and using formative assessments to support children’s learning.

As part of the programme, he also worked on a group assignment where he visited schools and organizations to observe, analyse, and study different curriculum approaches in practice. Another enriching session focused on documentation - understanding what to document, why documentation matters, and how it can become a meaningful part of the learning process.

The entire programme has been validating and deepening his understanding of what we do at LECIN and, more importantly, why we do it. However, this face-to-face interaction has been especially meaningful.

His biggest reflection was about how, as an educator, learner, and leader, he can consciously keep my biases aside and look at situations through different lenses to understand multiple perspectives.

Many times, we make decisions driven by emotions, which can prevent us from seeing the long-term implications. This experience reminded him that thoughtful planning, critical thinking, and responsible decision-making are equally important. It made him realise that while emotions are valuable, they cannot always be the only basis for making decisions.

The programme also gave him an opportunity to build meaningful friendships and connect with practitioners from diverse contexts. Listening to their experiences and perspectives broadened his own understanding of education and leadership.

Everything he is learning, is gradually finding its way back to our team and our work on the ground. He can already see a shift in how we look at our work - not just from the perspective of the classroom, but also from the perspectives of the organisation, the education system, and the different stakeholders we work with.

Our children explored binoculars for the first time and oh, what a joyful experience it was!

This was one of our first steps towards our vision of creating an education that helps children think, connect and express.

After this session, we are excited to take them on their very first birdwatching experience, coming soon.

Just a few days left before we welcome our children back to Anganwadis, schools, and learning centres! ❤️

Our teams in Greater Noida and Barabanki are busy preparing TLMs, curating stories, designing lesson plans, and reflecting on their teaching practices to accomplish our mission to transform the first five learning years (3-8 years) of children from underserved communities!

We are incredibly proud to share that Sunita ji, one of the Anganwadi Workers we have been working with over the last three years in Village Pachaytan, was invited as a panelist for the very first time to speak on a public stage.

Pachaytan is also one of the villages where LECIN has been demonstrating the impact of play-based learning in Anganwadis, making this moment even more special for us.

Sunita ji participated in a session titled “What I Do and Why I Do What I Do” at the Made in Play Summit, organized by and . It was inspiring to hear her share her experiences, and thoughts on working with young children every day.

The summit’s core intention was to create a dialogue around the importance of play in children’s lives, especially in the early years. Through discussions, exhibits, and interactive learning spaces, the event beautifully demonstrated why play is not just an activity, but an essential part of learning and development.

The summit featured learning corners and play spaces that showcased what joyful, child-centered classrooms can look like.

It also brought together educators, practitioners, organizations, and inspiring personalities such as Mandira Bedi, all united by a common belief in the power of play.

Sunita ji attended the summit along with Nirmala ji and members of the LECIN team.

Beyond the discussions, it was an opportunity to connect with many individuals and organizations working to improve children’s lives across the country.

What made us happiest, however, was seeing an Anganwadi Worker receive the space, visibility, confidence, and recognition she truly deserves. Every day, Anganwadi Workers play a critical role in shaping the lives of young children, yet their voices are rarely heard on public platforms.

Initiatives like these help bring those voices forward. They create opportunities for Anganwadi Workers to share their experiences, inspire others, and demonstrate how play can be meaningfully integrated into classrooms.

Congratulations, Sunita ji. We are proud of you, and grateful to be part of this journey together :)