GBCD has organized a training on TLM Development from low-cost no-cost thrown away materials for Parents in its 3 interventional block namely- Pandua, Balagarh, Polba-Dadpur &Dhaniakhali Block on 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd& 23^rdMay 2025 respectively. Attendance of the programmes: Total 243 participants have participated in the training programmes.

The training programmes have commenced with a welcome address by the respective Block Supervisors, who also introduced the objectives of the training:

1. To equip parents with skills to prepare TLMs using discarded or household materials and utilize them for the developmental needs of their CwDs.
2. To boost parents’ confidence in regularly using these materials at home.
3. To promote the use of low-cost/no-cost alternatives in place of expensive, sophisticated TLMs.

Following the introduction, facilitator Mr. Krishna Chall engaged participants in an interactive discussion, asking them about the necessity of TLMs in their children’s development. Parents responded enthusiastically, highlighting areas such as overall development, hand functions, colour and number recognition, and calendar work etc. Building on these responses, the Resource Person elaborated on the critical role TLMs play in supporting various aspects of a child’s growth.

As most participants had attended similar training sessions in the past and possessed a foundational understanding of TLMs, facilitators promptly initiated the hands-on component. Parents were divided into three groups based on their children’s disabilities:

1. Hearing Impairment (HI)
2. Cerebral Palsy (CP)
3. Mental Retardation, Multiple Disabilities, Locomotor Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Visual Impairment (MR/MD/LMD/ASD/VI)

Participants actively engaged in developing TLMs using easily available waste materials such as shoe and saree boxes (pitch board), bottle caps and water bottles, sponges, old calendars, empty matchboxes, bamboo sticks, bindi (forehead dots), wool, sandpaper, and old clothes.

After the lunch break, each group presented and demonstrated their TLMs, explaining how the materials could aid in the development of their children. The demonstration highlighted creative, context-specific solutions crafted by the parents.

Summary of TLMs Developed:

• For HI:
  Number Cards, Letter Cards, Flash Cards, Counting Aids, Calendar Concept Cards, Picture Cards, Colour Cards.

• For CP:
  Modified Writing and Eating Aids, Shape Boards, Counting Aids, Punching Materials, Colouring with Paper Balls.

• For MR/MD/LMD/ASD/VI:

Shape Boards, Puzzles, Surface Distinguishing Boards, Colour Concept Tools, Concentration Aids, Alphabet Boards, Sand-filled Wrist Bands, Bottle-based Water Games, and Blowing Exercise Bottles.

The training concluded with a feedback session in which parents expressed happiness and enthusiasm. They appreciated the practical approach and the hands-on experience the training provided.

Finally, each Block Supervisor extended heartfelt thanks to the participants, facilitators, and support staff for their enthusiastic participation and efforts, contributing to the overall success of the training programme.