Richa Shukla, CEO of Dost Education, to join educators and system leaders as nonprofit reaches over 5 lakh families across 9 states with caregiver focused early learning model
India, March 9, 2026: Dost Education will host “Talk, Care, Play,” a half day convening bringing together educators, caregivers, system leaders and partners to advance responsive and playful caregiving practices in India. The event will focus on strengthening early language development through everyday interactions between parents and young children, underscoring the role of simple acts of conversation, care and play in improving school readiness and long term learning outcomes.
India continues to face a foundational learning gap, with many children entering primary school without strong early language and literacy skills. Research indicates that children whose caregivers engage in frequent, responsive conversations during the early years demonstrate stronger language abilities by age three, regardless of socioeconomic background. Through this convening, Dost Education aims to position caregivers at the centre of early learning, reinforcing that development begins well before formal schooling.
Dost Education works with families of children aged zero to six to build foundations for school and life through its Talk, Care, Play framework. The organisation engages caregivers using accessible digital tools including audio based Phonecasts and WhatsApp enabled communication. It also collaborates with frontline Anganwadi workers to support community learning and peer circles for mothers and fathers.
To date, the nonprofit has reached more than five lakh families across nine states. A majority of participating families report increased engagement in talking, reading and playing with their children, alongside measurable gains in early language development among children in the programme.
The convening will include a presentation on responsive caregiving, interactive play sessions and two panel discussions. One panel will examine how systems can better support playful parenting, while the other will explore shared caregiving and strategies to involve fathers more actively in early childhood development.
Richa Shukla, CEO of Dost Education, said, “Early learning does not begin in a classroom it begins in conversation, in play, and in everyday moments between caregivers and children. When we equip parents with simple, research backed tools and the confidence to use them, we create lasting change in children’s lives. ‘Talk, Care, Play’ is about recognizing caregivers as a child’s first and most important teachers.”
Through the event, Dost Education seeks to deepen collaboration across stakeholders and accelerate a caregiver centred approach to early childhood development in India.
Dost Education is a nonprofit organisation working to ensure children are ready for school by strengthening the family as the first learning environment. Using a technology powered and caregiver focused model, the organisation extends its Talk, Care, Play principles across digital tools, family meetings, community gatherings and Anganwadi trainings, aiming to support children as they enter school prepared and engaged.
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