Rohini Nilekani Unveils “The Playbook of Play”, Calling on India to Reimagine Childhood
An inspiring provocation that urges society to trust children’s innate instinct to play
Bengaluru, 17 January 2026:
At a vibrant and thought-provoking gathering during Makkala Habba, renowned philanthropist and children’s author Rohini Nilekani launched The Playbook of Play—a bold, first-of-its-kind concept book that challenges deeply held assumptions about early childhood. The book delivers a simple yet radical message: children don’t need to be taught how to play—they need the freedom to do it.
Conceived as part of EkStep Foundation’s Bachpan Manao initiative, the book speaks to parents, educators, policymakers and communities alike, urging them to rethink adult-led control over childhood. Bachpan Manao is a growing collective of over 100 collaborators working to ensure that every child in India, from birth to eight years, experiences a joyful, nurturing and play-rich early childhood.
The launch itself was intentionally symbolic—set amid the energy of children at play. The message was clear: play is instinctive, joyful, and central to how children understand the world—and excessive adult interference can quietly erode this natural process.
“Play is a child’s language,” Rohini Nilekani shared. “It’s how children form relationships—with people, with nature, and with possibility. When we respect this language, children flourish. Creating space for play is not a luxury; it is a shared responsibility we owe every child in this country.”
The Science Is Settled: Play Is Fundamental, Not Optional
Backed by decades of neuroscience and child development research, The Playbook of Play reinforces what children intuitively know. Free, self-directed play strengthens brain architecture, builds critical executive functions such as focus, self-regulation and problem-solving, and supports holistic growth across cognitive, physical, social and emotional domains.
Research published in the Indian Journal of Neurology echoes this, noting that learning through play offers a powerful foundation for hands-on, meaningful early learning. What may appear chaotic or unstructured to adults is, in fact, the brain actively making sense of the world—experimenting, imagining, questioning and building confidence for lifelong learning.
Revealing the book at Makkala Habba felt especially fitting. “We’re having this conversation surrounded by children who are quite literally bringing childhood to life,” said Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships at EkStep Foundation. “Makkala Habba is where imagination, care and intent meet real-world practice. There could be no better space to talk about the future of childhood and play.”
With The Playbook of Play, Rohini Nilekani doesn’t offer a manual—she offers a mindset shift. One that invites India to pause, step back, and trust children to do what they do best: play their way into becoming whole, curious and capable human beings.
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