In this episode of Sarthak Shikshya, Narayan Acharya is joined by Muna Dahal, an experienced educator and Founder Principal of Kids Garden Montessori School. With deep expertise in Early Childhood Development (ECD), Ms. Dahal, who is also an M.Phil scholar in the field, discusses the foundational importance of pre-primary education. She sheds light on the crucial roles that school leaders, teachers, and parents collectively play in shaping a child's early learning journey. The conversation emphasizes that a child's development is a collaborative effort and that understanding their initial years is key to their long-term success.
Ms. Dahal shares her perspective on creating a meaningful and effective learning environment for young children. She argues against a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach, highlighting that children learn in diverse ways through play, stories, songs, and hands-on experience. A central theme of her discussion is the "Happy Teacher, Happy Child" philosophy, stressing that a positive, supportive, and well-trained teaching staff is essential for fostering a joyful and engaging classroom. She advocates for a child-centric model where understanding a child's psychology and basic needs comes before academic pressure.
Expanding on the challenges in the sector, Ms. Dahal points out the need for greater awareness among both schools and parents. She stresses that true early childhood education is about developing life skills, independence, and cultural values, not just rote memorization. Her message is clear: a strong foundation is built when schools and families work in partnership. She encourages parents to become actively involved and for schools to focus on holistic development that prepares children to become capable, confident, and well-rounded individuals in the future.