International NEP-Aligned Curriculum Content for Play School (Ages 2–4)

1. Foundational Principles

Play-based & activity-based learning (NEP 2020)

Focus on holistic development: physical, cognitive, social-emotional, language, and creative skills

Multilingual exposure (mother tongue + English as second language)

Inclusive, child-centered, and flexible

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📘 Curriculum Areas & Sample Content

🧠 1. Cognitive & Thinking Skills

Shape, color, and size recognition

Sorting and matching games

Puzzles and memory games

Cause and effect experiments (e.g., water play, sand play)

🗣 2. Language & Communication

Vocabulary building through rhymes, stories, and songs

Picture book reading

Storytelling and listening circles

English and home language immersion

✋ 3. Motor Skills

Gross motor: jumping, crawling, climbing, ball play, balancing

Fine motor: stacking blocks, finger painting, tearing and pasting, using crayons

🎨 4. Creative Expression

Art and craft with safe materials

Free drawing and scribbling

Music and movement (dance, action songs)

Role play and pretend play (doctor, teacher, shopkeeper, etc.)

❤ 5. Social & Emotional Development

Learning to share, take turns, express emotions

Group play and peer interaction

Circle time to express feelings

Basic values (kindness, respect, empathy)

🧘 6. Physical & Wellbeing

Yoga and mindfulness for kids (simple breathing, body stretches)

Personal hygiene habits (washing hands, brushing teeth)

Nutrition awareness via pretend food play

Outdoor free play

🌱 7. Environmental Awareness

Nature walks

Planting and watering plants

Pet care basics (if applicable)

Weather and seasons – observation

🔤 8. Early Literacy & Numeracy (Pre-Academic Readiness)

Letter and number recognition (A-Z, 1–10)

Tracing and pre-writing strokes

Rhymes, phonics (basic sounds)

Counting objects, simple patterns

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🗓 Weekly Theme-Based Plan (Sample Topics)

Week     Theme   Activities

Week 1 My Family           Family tree craft, family song

Week 2 Animals Animal sounds, farm visit pretend play

Week 3 Transport             Vehicle toy play, wheel painting

Week 4 Seasons Rain dance, sun and clouds collage

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🌍 Global Integration

Exposure to multicultural stories, festivals, and celebrations

SEL (Social Emotional Learning) activities inspired by Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf principles

STEAM-inspired play (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) – age-appropriate