Burlington English, a leading global provider of education solutions, conducted the Burlington Magic of Early Years workshop at the Lalit Ashok, Seshadripuram, Bangalore. The workshop, led by education leader Dr. Swati Popat Vats, Advisor for The Burlington Magic of Early Years and President of ECA-APER, welcomed an audience of teachers and school leaders to envision early years learning as a celebration of joy, wonder, and lifelong curiosity.
The workshop emphasized the importance of age-appropriate pedagogies, child-centric approaches, and the critical role that both teachers and parents play in nurturing young learners. The event began with an engaging ‘Abracadabra Workshop,’ a magic show that captivated the audience. In her session on ‘The Magic of NEP 2020 and NCF 2022 in Our School Curriculum,’ Dr. Vats highlighted how these frameworks prioritize holistic development, brain development in early childhood, and the need to replace outdated practices with more developmentally suitable ones. The discussions focused on:
- Substituting cursive writing in foundational years classrooms with the MR font to support young learners in their writing journey.
- Focusing on mathematical concepts in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) curriculum rather than encouraging the chanting of numbers.
- Infusing play-based, activity-based, and inquiry-based learning into the foundation of every classroom experience.
- Fostering all-round development using the Panchakosha model for physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being.
Dr. Swati Popat Vats, speaking at the event, said, “It’s truly a privilege to be here with such passionate thought leaders, experts, and professionals dedicated to transforming early years education. The focus in the early years should not be on rushing children toward academic readiness, but on nurturing their cognitive, physical, and emotional development in a way that aligns with their natural growth. Play-based learning is fundamental to healthy development during these formative years. It’s not about delaying literacy and numeracy; it’s about helping children learn without the pressure of rote memorization. By replacing stressful methods with joy, choice, and curiosity, we create a strong foundation for lifelong learning. In today’s digital age, incorporating screen safety rhymes is essential to help children develop a balanced approach to technology. I’m thrilled that Burlington English shares this holistic vision of early development and is bringing it to life through the Magic of Early Years kit and the 100ED Fest workshops.”
Commenting on the workshop, Mr. Amit Baveja, Managing Director of Burlington English in India and Southeast Asia, said, “Childhood is a magical time, and at Burlington English we recognize that the foundational years are when care and education must go hand in hand. Our early years resources, created with a deep understanding of child development, foster choice, joy, and wonder in young learners while strengthening essential skills such as literacy and numeracy. I am proud to share that our early years kit, aligned with the NCF-FS, is the only kit to have received a five-star rating from ECA-APER. I am equally proud of the 100ED Fest workshops, which guide educators through the latest developments in pedagogy, ensuring classrooms remain alive with curiosity and the drive to create positive change.”
The early years are crucial for a child, as they set the tone for the kind of learners they grow up to be. With this initiative, Burlington English reaffirms its dedication to supporting India’s foundational learning goals and enabling schools to adopt progressive, NEP-aligned practices.
