Unlocking Early Learning: How digital puzzles transform Montessori education

Discover the innovations behind interactive education as an educator shapes a new era of development at Rhythms Kinderworld, GK II

By Abhilasha Munjal: Montessori schools are widely regarded as transformative environments for toddlers, offering a holistic approach to early childhood education that prioritises comprehensive development across various domains.

Over the years it has helped in nurturing toddlers inculcating innate curiosity and independence while fostering their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical growth.

Through mixed-age classrooms and collaborative activities, toddlers learn to communicate, share, and empathise with others. Teachers provide gentle guidance and support to help toddlers navigate their emotions, fostering resilience and self-awareness.

Hence, to help toddlers grow more and learn better, Apeejay Rhythms Kinderworld has come up with digital puzzles for toddlers.

In a candid interview, Ms Rabia Azim, a coordinator speaks about the aim and focus in creating this innovative programme.

What inspired you to create the games/puzzles?

I wanted to create interactive and engaging activities that align with the preschool curriculum while leveraging technology to enhance learning. My inspiration stems from a desire to make learning fun and accessible for children, especially in today’s digital age where technology plays a significant role in their lives.

These games and puzzles provide an opportunity for kids to learn while having fun, promoting cognitive development and critical thinking skills playfully.

Describe the educational objectives.

There are a lot of objectives associated with cognitive development, language development, Math readiness, fine motor skills, and social-emotional development to name a few.

These games aim to provide a well-rounded learning experience that aligns with the developmental needs of preschool-aged children while leveraging the benefits of technology to make learning engaging and enjoyable.

How do you suggest educators integrate this game into their teaching practices?

Educators can integrate these games into their teaching practices in several ways like supplemental learning; the educators can use the games as supplemental activities to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom.

Other than that it can be used at centres or stations via setting up technology stations in the classroom where children can rotate and engage with the games in small groups.

This allows for hands-on learning and collaboration. Individualised learning can help students customise their game selection based on individual learning needs and abilities to provide personalised learning experiences for each child.

Specific skills or knowledge areas that this game is designed to enhance.

My primary goal in designing these online puzzles and games was to cultivate and enhance various skills and knowledge areas essential for the holistic development of preschoolers. I aimed to inculcate a sense of analytical thinking and prepare them for the life ahead by introducing basic concepts and skills they’ll need as they progress through their educational journey.

I want to keep toddlers ahead of the times by integrating technology into their learning experiences, fostering digital literacy and adaptability, developing numerical skills, enhancing language skills, and so on.

How do you assess the effectiveness of this game in educational settings?

Assessing the effectiveness of this game is simple. I closely observe how students are engaging with the games, know their level of interest, and collect feedback from other teachers and parents. Along with the same, I also analyse learning outcomes that students are obtaining while playing.

How do you envision the future of educational games and puzzles in learning environments?

I believe the future of educational games and puzzles in learning environments is incredibly promising and exciting. As technology continues to advance, these interactive tools will play an increasingly integral role in preschool education and beyond.

Personalised learning along with immersive experiences has welcomed virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies.

Educational games will offer immersive experiences that transport children to virtual worlds where they can explore, experiment, and learn in ways previously unimaginable. These games and puzzles serve as powerful tools for fostering curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning in young children.

By harnessing the potential of technology, we can create immersive, personalised, and engaging learning experiences that inspire the next generation of learners.

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