Play-Based Learning. We're Not Team iPad (or AI).

If you've ever evaluated daycare for your toddler, shopped for toys online (or offline), or even skimmed through kid's activities at your vacation hotel, you have almost certainly read the phrase, "play based learning".

You eyes have likely glazed over this term, and you've moved on to more practical things like diaper changes, picking the first toy on the list, and / or ordering an (emergency) chilled beverage.

But, when it comes to learning Indian languages, it is our belief that we need to give this whole things a real hard look - and double take.

So science says unequivocally that play-based learning is critical - and effective.

We agree. It helps children naturally build language skills. Not everyone learns the same way; play-based learning lets kids choose approaches that suit their preferences -- be that visual, auditory, tactile, or kinaesthetic. They can explore and understand their environment and enjoy experiences without fear of failing.

But who's applying those concepts to Indian languages in a home or social environment?

If you are, DO please write us at hello@moliboli.com; we'd like to send you flowers to show how impressed we are, and also really spend hours tapping your incredible brain to learn how you're doing it.

But back to the thing we were stressing and whining about.

For toddlers and preschoolers, language instruction is most effective when it is play-based rather than drill-based. Children can devote their cognitive resources to linguistic experimentation without pressure or fear of formal evaluation.

But in our experience, many Indian language learning systems use outdated vocabulary with imagery and objects sometimes worlds away from our daily lives.

Seriously, when was the last time you used ‘gyaani’ in conversation??? Who even says ‘aushadhi’ ???

Ditto for teaching methods that still heavily index on rote learning.

Virtual high-five if your niece, nephew or child is currently struggling with पर्यायवाची (paryayvaachi) lists #IFYKY.

Further, individual or small-group tutoring could add performance pressure and take away the fun of experimentation. And the main reason for this, we think is that kids are learning the language in a teaching-first way, as a consequence of sequential bilingualism.

So. What are we doing about this situation with Moli.Boli?

We're redoing the learning pipes.

We're building entirely for play-based Indian language learning by bringing heritage language learning materials -- images, vocabulary, and parent-child activities -- into the 21st century circa 2025-26. So think of flash cards that introduce your toddler to why amma's dad is తాతయ్య (tātayya) while Papa's dad is... dad.

And most importantly. Call us idealistic but we genuinely believe that not everything in life can - or should be - figured out with an iPad or AI.

This author worked at Google for 12 years. She can totes say it!

We're making an intentional choice to steer away from screens, dopamine hits, and even virtual or real-life tutoring. Instead, we're seeding a simple, physical intimacy with our home culture and language. We're focused on play-based discovery for curious little hearts, minds and hands.

So the next time you're at the beach, and figuring out the best return gifts for your little one's upcoming birthday, come give us a look and a hug.