Children play 'bal sevika' for a day at anganwadi centres in Wardha district
Young children ran their own anganwadis for a day under an initiative that let them learn the work of the anganwadi worker first-hand.
Anganwadi centres in Wardha district recently ran a new and unusual initiative. Held under the Integrated Child Development Services scheme and titled "Let us become bal sevikas, let us learn the work of the anganwadi tai", it took place as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. Young children ran their own anganwadis.
The idea was for children to spend a day as anganwadi workers and see the work of the anganwadi tai at close quarters. Following this idea, the young children took on the role of "bal sevika" and experienced the daily routine of an anganwadi. The aim was to link the all-round development of children with a joyful experience.
The children who became bal sevikas took part in different activities suited to their age. They taught through play, looked after other children and spoke about the importance of cleanliness. They learned about supplementary nutrition, spread awareness about health and nutrition, and also spoke with parents and the community. Through all this, the children came to understand the work of an anganwadi worker more closely.
The children learned by doing how important the role of anganwadi workers is in the daily functioning of the anganwadi, children's nutrition, pre-primary education, health, cleanliness and all-round development.
The young bal sevikas shouldered a big responsibility. In the initiative, the children experienced helping one another, working in a group, caring for others and completing a task assigned to them. Along with building the confidence of "I can do it too", values such as leadership, cooperation, sensitivity and a spirit of service were also instilled in the children.
An anganwadi centre is not merely a place that provides nutritious food and pre-primary education. It is the first school for developing children's personalities and shaping their social understanding. Through this initiative, an attempt was made to awaken in children a sense of taking responsibility, leading and caring for others.
