by Ms Michelle Pereira for BISMumbai

On Saturday, 14 June 2025, Stellar Don Bosco Academy, Nerul, in association with Wading Through Life’s Funtoosh, hosted a heart-warming Indoor Playdate for children with special needs and their parents. The playdate, themed around World Environment Day, brought together families in a vibrant, fully inclusive setting designed to nurture social growth, creativity, and emotional bonding.

 The event was organized by Wading Through Life (WTL), celebrated for bringing cultural and sports activities to families with special-needs children. These carefully curated events serve both as bonding experiences and opportunities for parents and children to build camaraderie. Based on suggestions from the Support Group—a community of caring parents—this initiative emphasises joyful, inclusive spaces for every child.

 The morning began with a captivating storytelling session led by Ms Castellino, who read “The Day the Earth Spoke”—a moving tale written by special educator Jaya Bajaj. Illustrated with heartfelt visuals, the story follows a young boy named Arin as he engages in a profound conversation with the Earth, which speaks of air and water pollution, overflowing garbage, and the importance of environmental stewardship. The story beautifully weaves awareness with empathy, encouraging young minds to reflect on caring for our planet.

Ms Vidya Kapadne, a special educator from Ikshana Therapy Centre, led a paper-bag-making workshop, teaching parents and children how to create bags using old newspapers—a simple yet powerful symbol of eco-friendly living. This hands-on activity emphasised innovation and sustainability, promoting mindful consumption through everyday choices.

In the next lively session, children and parents participated in a colouring and leaf-print painting workshop, crafting vibrant, nature-inspired art using leaves and non-toxic paints. The atmosphere buzzed with joy and collaboration, complemented by the enthusiastic assistance of student volunteers from Don Bosco Senior Secondary School.

 These activities were more than just creative exercises—they were designed to foster parent-child bonding, improve turn-taking, communication, and teamwork. Every moment nurtured friendships and emotional resilience in a judgment-free, loving environment. Their positive feedback underscored the power of providing inclusive spaces where children feel valued, connected, and celebrated.