Hands-on activities turn lessons into joyful experiences

Learning in the foundational years becomes more meaningful when children can explore ideas through play and direct experience. Keeping this approach at the centre, Apeejay School, Charkhi Dadri, organised a month-long series of hands-on activities for its Pre-primary learners in August 2026. The initiative followed the spirit of NEP 2020, with its focus on play-based, activity-oriented and holistic learning.

Guided by class in-charges Mr Navneet and Ms Pooja Sangwan, the children took part in several age-appropriate activities. These included colour recognition and sorting, clay modelling, paper folding, tearing and pasting, thumb and finger printing, pattern making, matching, classification and simple counting exercises.

Learning through exploration

Vegetable and fruit identification, sensory exploration and object-to-number matching helped the learners understand basic concepts through familiar objects. Storytelling with props, role play, action rhymes, and art and craft activities gave them room to communicate and express their imagination.

Nature walks added another dimension to the learning process. Children observed leaves and flowers, identified shapes and colours, explored different textures and participated in sequencing exercises and simple classroom experiments. By observing, touching, comparing and creating, they could understand ideas in a concrete and enjoyable way.

Building essential early skills

The activities supported fine and gross motor development, hand-eye coordination, vocabulary and early numeracy. They also strengthened concentration, creativity, problem-solving abilities and social interaction. While working together, the children learnt to share materials, wait for their turn, listen to others and contribute as a team.

The initiative reflected the foundational learning approach within the 5+3+3+4 curricular structure of NEP 2020. Instead of simply receiving information, the children became active participants in the learning process.

The school Principal, Dr Vineet Vasishtha, appreciated the Pre-Primary team’s efforts and the children’s enthusiastic participation. He said that such play-based experiences allow children to learn naturally through exploration. He also commended Mr Navneet and Ms Pooja Sangwan for their thoughtful planning and dedication, noting that the activities helped nurture confidence, creativity, curiosity and essential life skills.

The cheerful response from the children created an atmosphere of curiosity and confidence. The initiative showed how well-planned experiences can make early learning inclusive, child-centred and memorable.