(Speech delivered on December 23, 1951, at the Kamgar Sabha program, aimed at mill workers and other labourers, broadcast from All India Radio, Mumbai. Translated from the original Marathi ‘Shaishava’.)

Friends, Children up to two years of age are called infants. From two to six or seven years, they are considered young children.

At first, children grow in our arms and cradles. As they grow a little, they begin to play in the courtyard. If we observe this stage carefully, we can see how they develop. Today, I will explain how children grow during early childhood, what they learn, and how they learn. If you pay attention, you will notice all these things yourself.

A newborn is completely helpless. It cannot move, walk, or talk. Yet within two years, it learns many things. It can stand, run, jump, eat solid food as teeth appear, and begin to speak—though not perfectly, but sufficiently to manage.

Now the child is no longer dependent. It runs about on its own. Its strength increases, and it quickly learns many new things.

The first change is that the house feels too small. The child wants to wander—to the neighbours’ house, to the street corner, to the vegetable seller. It enjoys talking, eating, and exploring. Everything outside is new: vehicles, animals, birds, trees, flowers, fruits, and people. Curiosity is intense. The child touches, lifts, drops, and examines everything.

Secondly, the child wants to use its limbs constantly—running, climbing, jumping, hanging, attempting difficult tasks. Observing others—mother, father, siblings, neighbours—it imitates them, carrying, pulling, pushing objects. Speech develops, and the child babbles, repeats words, even sings phrases heard once. In this way, it learns its mother tongue.

By two and a half years, the child begins to play away from home. Play at this age is learning. Before school, children learn far more than we realize. Their restless activity is not mischief but effort to learn.

Often, this activity interferes with our work. We scold them: “Sit quietly, don’t climb, don’t run.” But how will their bodies grow strong and their minds sharpen, if we restrict them? They need to use their hands for varied tasks. Yet we rarely allow it, fearing breakage or mess. Thus, they play meaningless games instead of learning real skills. Dexterity and skill develop best in childhood.

Today, parents go for work, homes are small, and resources are limited. Therefore, arrangements like preschools or childcare centres are essential. In many places, such centres are supported by government or community. Abroad, workers send children to such schools, paying a small fee. Cities like Mumbai and Solapur need more such institutions for workers’ children.

The main benefit of preschools is that children quickly acquire good habits—cleanliness, order, proper speech, songs, stories, and self-reliance. They gain confidence and take joy in doing tasks themselves.

Most important: they learn to play cooperatively, help each other, and form friendships—unlike at home, where quarrels and harsh words are common. When they see adults fighting, saying bad things about others who belong to different caste or religion, children pick up these things unknowingly. This must change. When they are learning cooperation in preschool centres, they must see the same behaviour at home from the adults.

Two more points: we often lose patience and beat children, venting anger meant for others. Children may do mischief or mistakes, but beating them is not an option. It is best to explain patiently, or keep quiet – when they see that the mother is not talking, they understand immediately. Another problem is that we instil fear in their minds—of servants, officers, ghosts, darkness etc., so that they will listen to us. This is harmful. Children should grow fearless and brave.

Thus, these young ones grow into older children, enter school, and continue learning daily. Their growing smartness brings us joy.

Take time to visit a preschool. You will see children working, playing, and cooperating without false pampering or harsh discipline. They are orderly and cheerful. Watching them will bring you happiness.