Touching New Horizons

In the academic year 2024-25, something truly exciting began at our Early Intervention Centre (EIC) — a pilot SMART CLASS programme for 15 children with diverse developmental needs. What started as an experiment quickly blossomed into a celebration of curiosity, courage, and connection.

Learning to ‘Touch’, the Future

In the beginning, most children didn’t know what it meant to ‘touch’ a smart board—they tapped, swiped, or simply watched. So, we began with doodling! Gradually, as they saw the screen respond to their touch, the room lit up with excitement. That moment of discovery was more than just a technical milestone—it was emotional. Little gestures, eager fingers, and joyful glances showed us that it was the beginning of a new way to learn, express, and belong.

Our goal in the first quarter was to help children feel at home—with the teacher, with each other, and with the flow of the class. Slowly but surely, they began waiting for their turn, cheering for their friends, and stepping up with confidence when their turn came.

Growth in Every Dimension: Moments that Melted Our Hearts

• Adapting with Confidence – One child who preferred sitting on the floor now chooses a chair with pride. Another, once hesitant to enter the room, now explores freely and participates with joy.
• Becoming Independent – From tearful goodbyes to parents, to confidently engaging with the board—our children are showing notable independence. Even children with physical challenges are stretching their limits to participate.
• Expressing Themselves – Sessions start with greetings and end with a shared recap—and the children now recognise these cues. One even picked up the word ‘Touch’ and uses it meaningfully. Some raise their hands to choose activities, while others take pride in seeing their work appear on the screen.
• Unlocking New Opportunities – For children keen on writing, we’ve linked smart board activities to chalkboards and worksheets – blending tech and tactile learning.

The Road Ahead…

We’re dreaming bigger. Our next step is to build a customised app aligned with our Early Intervention tool Upanayan — which will include:

• Screen-time controls,
• Personalised progress tracking,
• Curated activities for children with different abilities.

Our goal is to make this model replicable for Special Educators and accessible to all children.

Every touch, every smile, every small step— is a milestone worth celebrating. We’re proud of our children, our team, and the path we’re paving towards inclusive and joyful learning.