India
Partnering for Playful Learning in Maharashtra
We are proud to collaborate with Toybank, a project of the Opentree Foundation, to support the implementation of play-based learning in schools across Maharashtra, India.
In 2024, we partnered with Toybank to adapt the P-BLOT™ specifically for the Indian context, creating the Adapted Play-Based Learning Observation Tool (AP-BLOT, India)™. This customised version of the tool supports Toybank’s Play Practitioner program, which aims to increase the fidelity of play-based teaching practices in schools across Maharashtra state.
Navigating Complex Challenges in Indian Schools
The Indian education context is incredibly diverse, with unique challenges that can impact the adoption of play-based learning. We work with Toybank’s facilitators to navigate these complexities, helping them address barriers and empowering teachers to foster student agency in their classrooms.
Our Work Includes:
Adapting P-BLOT™ for the Indian Context: Tailoring the observation tool to align with local educational practices and needs.
Training and Supervision: Providing ongoing training and supervision to Toybank facilitators, enhancing their capacity to support teachers effectively.
Research-Informed Practice: Promoting the latest research in play pedagogy to deepen understanding and drive impactful change in classrooms.
Adapted P-BLOT (India)™
The Adapted P-BLOT (India)™ is used to observe and refine the work of educators involved in the Play Practitioner program, helping them better understand and implement play pedagogy. Our support extends to training Toybank facilitators, building their awareness of the research behind play-based learning, and bridging the gap between theory and practice within the diverse and dynamic Indian school environment.
The Play Practitioner Program involves 95 schools and 405 teachers across rural districts of Maharashtra.
Join Us in Transforming Education in India
We are committed to supporting play-based learning in India and beyond. If you’re interested in learning more about our work with Toybank or exploring how the P-BLOT™ can be adapted for your educational setting, we’d love to hear from you.
Opentree Foundation
“Working with Sarah and the team at Longworth Education has been a transformative experience for The Opentree Foundation. As part of our mission to mainstream play-based learning across India, we have developed the Play Practitioner Programme to empower educators with the skills and tools to integrate play into their teaching methods. Our goal is to impact 1 million children in the next three years by training over 50,000 teachers as play practitioners.
Longworth Education played a crucial role in this journey by adapting their Play-Based Learning Observation Tool (P-BLOT)™ to suit the unique realities of the communities we serve. Sarah and her team invested significant time and effort into contextualizing the tool, ensuring it was culturally relevant and practical for our ground-level implementation. The adapted P-BLOT™ has become an essential component of our programme, helping us measure the effectiveness of play-based learning and track meaningful outcomes for the children and educators we work with.
We are deeply appreciative of Longworth Education’s partnership and the expertise they have brought in supporting our vision of building a stronger foundation for play-based education in India”.
— Shweta Chari, Co-Founder – CEO | Ashoka Fellow
PBLOT™
A Longworth Education Training Series
Supporting schools with evidence-informed strategies that prioritise teacher wellbeing, professional growth, and sustainable practice.
Get in touch
info@longwortheducation.co.nz