Gamifying Education: Leveraging games to teach core concepts in Preschool

In this International Business Times India interview, Shalini Sharma—Founder and CEO of Hi‑Kalpaa—explains why early childhood education shapes lifelong outcomes, detailing a Finland‑inspired, story‑based, STEAM‑aligned preschool model that integrates emotional, social, physical, and academic development for holistic learning in Bengaluru and beyond. Hi‑Kalpaa’s pedagogy blends Finnish best practices with experiential learning and continuous teacher training, aligning with India’s education context while maintaining research‑led classroom implementation that builds curiosity, critical thinking, and school readiness from nursery through kindergarten. Sharma outlines a parent‑approved approach that teaches every concept through characters and narratives, turning abstract ideas into child‑friendly stories and hands‑on discovery so young learners “learn by doing” with measurable gains in engagement and independence. The interview highlights distinctive initiatives for Hi‑Kalpaa World School: a no‑bag policy to reduce stress, a dedicated “Happiness Lab” to support mental well‑being, and regular Finland associate visits for on‑ground training—policies designed to make campuses joyful, safe, and outcomes‑driven for families seeking modern early education in India. Addressing affordability without compromising quality, Sharma positions Hi‑Kalpaa’s fee philosophy to remain accessible to a broad parent base while preserving premium standards, supported by curriculum centralization, digital delivery, and quality audits across expanding franchise locations to ensure consistency at scale. For searches like “early childhood education India,” “best preschool Bengaluru,” “experiential learning preschool,” “Finnish pedagogy in India,” “story‑based curriculum,” “STEAM preschool,” and “affordable quality preschool,” this conversation provides a clear blueprint: combine global pedagogy with local relevance, prioritize parent partnership, and institutionalize teacher capacity‑building to deliver equitable, joyful, and future‑ready early learning.