Lockdown 2.0: Odisha Govt & UNICEF Collaborate To Keep 16 Lakh Children Busy With Fun Activities

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government in collaboration with UNICEF on Tuesday released a calendar of fun-filled activities to engage over 16 lakh children during the lockdown period.

With about 72,587 Anganwadi centre have been shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, the activities will also ensure early learning among children between the age group of three and six years.

The programme focuses on educating children about cleanliness like washing hands, hygiene and sanitation, and social distancing to prevent the virus. Besides this, it also involves engaging the children in activities such as action songs, dance, painting, and storytelling based on the prescribed theme of the month which will be ensured by the parents.

“There is a need for engaging and stimulating these children, therefore, the Women and Child Development (WCD) and Mission Shakti (MS) department along with UNICEF have released ‘Ghare Ghare Arunima’, a calendar-based fun-filled list of activities for children to be implemented with the support of parents and grandparents,” an official was quoted by PTI as saying.

The calendar of activities will be shared digitally with parents by the Anganwadi workers. Moreover, printed copies will also be circulated for parents without a net connection.