EFFECTIVE PEDAGOGICAL STRATEGIES FOR FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY AND NUMERACY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION WITH REFERENCE TO NEP-2020

LIPUN SAHOO , KABERI KUMARI PADHI

PEDAGOGICAL, FOUNDATIONAL LITERACY AND NUMERACY, EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION, NEP-2020

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) constitute the most essential skills that enable children to read with understanding and perform basic mathematical operations. Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is recognized as the critical stage for developing these abilities, as the first eight years of life lay the groundwork for lifelong learning. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has identified the attainment of FLN by all children by the end of Grade 3 as an urgent national mission, emphasizing play-based, activity-oriented, and developmentally appropriate pedagogical practices. This paper discusses effective pedagogical strategies for promoting FLN in ECCE in the light of NEP 2020. It highlights approaches such as Activity-Based and Play-Oriented Learning, Multisensory and Experiential Approach, Mother-Tongue/ Home Languages- Based Learning, Integrating Literacy and Numeracy in daily life, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Technology- Enabled Learning, Continuous Assessment for Learning, Inclusive and Equitable Practices, Teacher Capacity Building, Parental and Community Engagement. These strategies ensure joyful, inclusive, and contextually relevant learning for children, particularly those from tribal and marginalized communities. The study underscores that achieving universal FLN requires not only innovative pedagogy but also teacher capacity building, parental engagement, and systemic support through initiatives like NIPUN Bharat Mission. Strengthening FLN in ECCE is, therefore, not merely an academic requirement but a social responsibility to ensure equity, quality, and holistic development for all children in India.

Volume 13 Issue 8, August-2025

Pages : g123-g130