Khilta Bachpan

"Nurturing Social-Emotional Growth for a Holistic Future."

Khilta Bachpan is a transformative initiative designed to nurture social and emotional learning (SEL) among children, parents, and educators. By integrating evidence-based SEL tools and activities—ranging from interactive games and storytelling to community engagement and teacher training—it fosters self-awareness, empathy, and resilience. Piloted across 35 schools in Madhya Pradesh, this innovati

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2022

Established

90K

Children

1

Countries

Target group

Students early

Updated

December 2024

Through Khilta Bachpan, we envision an education system that prioritizes holistic development, blending academic learning with social-emotional growth. We aim to create classrooms where children are not only equipped with literacy and numeracy skills but also empowered with self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and responsible decision-making. By integrating SEL into curricula, teacher training, an

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

We created Khilta Bachpan to address the critical yet often overlooked need for social and emotional learning (SEL) in children’s education. In India, the prevailing emphasis on academic performance frequently sidelines children's emotional well-being, leaving them ill-equipped to navigate stress, build relationships, or develop essential life skills. This gap contributes to alarming rates of stud

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Khilta Bachpan brings social and emotional learning (SEL) to life through interactive school and community-based initiatives. In 35 schools in Madhya Pradesh, trained facilitators conduct weekly SEL sessions using activity booklets, board games, and storytelling to nurture self-awareness, empathy, and resilience in children. The program engages parents and teachers through storytelling workshops and positive parenting courses, fostering a supportive environment. Community mobilization efforts, including puppet shows, radio broadcasts, and storytelling fairs, spread SEL awareness widely. Multilingual children’s literature and animated videos enhance accessibility and cultural relevance. Partnerships with state education departments and organizations help integrate SEL into curricula and teacher training. Research and impact assessments measure SEL growth and its effect on learning outcomes. Khilta Bachpan empowers children, educators, and communities with essential life skills, transfor

How has it been spreading?

Khilta Bachpan has rapidly expanded its impact, now reaching 200 schools across 12 states in India. This growth is driven by a strategic blend of community engagement, partnerships with state education departments and organizations, and widespread dissemination of SEL resources. The program’s success in fostering life skills and holistic development is inspiring further adoption, transforming education for thousands of children nationwide.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

Please contact the ChildFund India team at childfundindia.org

Implementation steps

1. Training Facilitators and Educators

Recruit and train facilitators (local community members or teachers) on the SEL framework and how to use the materials effectively. Conduct workshops for teachers and parents on SEL principles, positive parenting, and storytelling.

2. Set Up SEL Sessions in Schools

Begin weekly SEL sessions using the prepared modules, activity booklets, and board/card games. Incorporate storytelling, movie screenings, and group activities to engage children actively in learning social-emotional skills.

3. Community Engagement

Launch awareness campaigns using radio broadcasts, puppet shows, street performances, and community fairs to promote SEL among parents and community members. Organize community movie screenings followed by discussions to reinforce SEL messages.

4. Provide Multilingual SEL Resources

Distribute multilingual children’s literature and materials to support SEL learning in the local context. Use animated videos and audio scripts to raise awareness about SEL among parents, teachers, and the broader community.

5. Monitor and Assess

Conduct baseline assessments to understand children’s initial SEL competencies. Regularly evaluate the impact of SEL activities through endline surveys and feedback from teachers, parents, and children.

6. Adapt and Scale

Based on feedback and assessment results, refine the program to suit local needs. Work with state education departments and other organizations to expand and scale the model to more schools and regions.