For Arts-Integrated Teacher Training
Sonia Relia
Sonia Relia is a distinguished educationist and innovator with over 30 years of experience in designing activity-based group learning programs. A recognized thought leader in early childhood education, she has pioneered methodologies that transform conventional classrooms into interactive learning hubs, focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, and toy-based pedagogy.
Teacher Training & Pedagogical Impact
Sonia has a massive footprint in educator development, having upskilled over 2.5 lakh teachers across India and the Middle East. Her work in training focuses on:
- Capacity Building: She designed the Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for foundational educators in partnership with the CBSE and Oxford University Press (OUP).
- Innovative Methodologies: Creator of the Kino-learn and Kino-phonics activity-based methods, which allow for high-impact learning in both low-budget and technologically advanced classrooms.
- Institutional Training: She conducts specialized workshops for prestigious institutions like The Indian School, focusing on "learning by doing" and resource-building for teachers to ensure sustainable classroom engagement.
Authorship & Curriculum Development
Sonia is a prolific author whose curriculum designs have been adopted by schools nationwide to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
- "My Learning Train" Series: Published by Oxford University Press, this comprehensive activity-based series is a staple in pre-primary and primary education, integrating stories, rhymes, and dramatization into core subjects.
- Interactive Resources: She has authored over 35 books, including the World of Phonics and Meri Railgari series, which simplify language acquisition through interactive tools like flashcards, dominoes, and role-play.
Leadership & Academic Foundation
A TEDx speaker and consultant for the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), Sonia's influence extends to policy-level innovations in early education.
- Collaborations: Beyond her long-standing association with Oxford University Press, she has worked closely with national boards to develop teaching guides, activity banks, and assessment strategies that meet global benchmarks.
- Advocacy: Her work emphasizes the "Fun Way" of learning, advocating for a holistic transition from pre-school to primary years through child-friendly resources and experiential teaching practices.
