MS Talk Series

Introduction: The 'MS Talks series on Early Childhood Education (ECE)' was organized by Dr Balkrishna Bokil, Mr Sachin Mohite, and Ms Aparna Chaudhari, highly experienced professionals in the field of education, with a specific focus on child development, care, and education.

The MS Talks series aims to provide a platform for knowledge sharing and professional development in the field of early childhood education. These sessions were conducted periodically, featuring experts in the field as guest speakers. The series also fostered the development of a virtual community of practitioners, who gathered weekly to discuss various aspects of child development. The talks served as a medium for continuous professional development for educators in the early childhood education sector.

Design and Curriculum: The curriculum for the online training sessions was carefully designed by SpacECE, based on the results of a large-scale needs assessment survey. The survey covered around 700 parents of children between the ages of 0-8 years. The curriculum was tailored to address the specific needs and challenges identified through the survey.

Duration and Audience: The talk series on ECE ran for over six months, with sessions organized on Sunday afternoons to ensure maximum participation from parents. Anganwadi Supervisors also played a crucial role by inviting their sevikas and parents to participate and learn about effective ways to engage with children in their early years.

Content and Format: The 'MS Talk Series on ECE’ provided valuable insights and guidance for parents, teachers, and Anganwadi sevikas working with children aged 0-8 years. The series covered various aspects of child development, acknowledging that this period is the most formative for brain development, with the brain reaching up to 85% of its development during these years.

The format of the talk series was meticulously planned to ensure an interactive and comprehensive learning experience. Each session included thought-provoking presentations by guest speakers, research-based discussions on the topics, interviews with experienced educators, engaging activities, and interactive question-answer sessions. This format facilitated a reciprocal exchange of knowledge and ideas, allowing participants to gain a conceptual understanding of ECE, explore different aspects of child development, and evaluate their own practices.

Sessions and Expertise: The conceptual understanding sessions delved into learning content, processes, the quality of learning, and the role of parents in a child's educational journey. These discussions were led by experts who provided in-depth insights, making the sessions highly enriching.

The series also covered various aspects of child development, taking a holistic approach that encompassed physical and health development, aesthetic and artistic development, numeracy and logic skills, cognitive development, and crucial social and emotional development, especially in the context of the challenging pandemic times.

Expertise and Diversity: The selection of experts for the talk series was meticulous, ensuring a wealth of experience in early childhood education, with each expert having a minimum of three decades of experience. The experts came from diverse backgrounds, offering a well-rounded perspective on the various aspects of ECE.

Evaluation and Research Inputs: Evaluation played a crucial role in the talk series. Documentation, observations, and assessments, including pre- and post-questionnaires, were meticulously designed to track progress and measure the effectiveness of the sessions. The questionnaires provided immediate feedback, allowing stakeholders to reflect on their knowledge and identify areas for improvement.

Additionally, research inputs were provided with every Sunday by experts such as Dr Bokil and Dr Vrushali Dehadray, ensuring that participants remained updated with the latest findings in the field. Interviews with parents, where they shared their experiences and insights into raising their children, proved to be eye-opening for both teachers and parents, offering practical perspectives and applications of the knowledge gained.

Conclusion: The 'MS Talks series on ECE' served as a valuable platform for educators, parents, and practitioners in early childhood education. Through its carefully curated content, interactive format, and focus on continuous professional development, the series successfully enhanced knowledge and practice in the field. The collaborative efforts of the organizers, the expertise of the speakers, and the active participation of the audience contributed to the success of the talk series and its impact on early childhood education.