https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Swati_Popat_VatsSwati Popat Vats - Revision history2026-11-04T08:26:23ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swati_Popat_Vats&diff=538923&oldid=prevErmelindaDez: added a data2026-03-16T16:00:10Z<p>added a data</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{short description|Indian educationist, entrepreneur, and author}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}<br />
{{Infobox person<br />
| name = Swati Popat Vats<br />
| image =<br />
| birth_date = <br />
| occupation = {{hlist|Educationist|author}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Mumbai]], [[India]]<br />
| years_active = 1986-present<br />
| title = * President of Early Childhood Association (ECA)<br />
* President of Podar Education Network<br />
| awards = NZTC Fellowship of Honour, IDA Education Awards 2023 for Exemplary Leadership in Early Learning<br />
| spouse =<br />
| children = <br />
| website =<br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Swati Popat''' (née '''Vats''') is an Indian educationist, [[parenting]] mentor, [[entrepreneur]], and [[author]] in the field of [[early childhood education]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=क्या बच्चों को स्कूल भेजकर पढ़ाना ज़रूरी है? |url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/india-43544846 |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=BBC News हिंदी |language=hi}}</ref> Her areas of expertise are child [[psychology]], [[pedagogy]], and [[curriculum]] development. She is the president at the Early Childhood Association (ECA) India<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayyappan |first=Aathira |date=2019-11-15 |title=How much time can your kids spend on your smartphone? Dr Swati Popat Vats has the numbers |url=https://www.edexlive.com/breaking/2019/Nov/15/how-much-time-can-your-kids-spend-on-your-smartphone-dr-swati-popat-vats-has-the-numbers-9086.html |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=EdexLive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dias |first=Harsimran Gill, Karen |title=Magazine: On set with India's child actors |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/6/12/magazine-on-set-with-indias-child-actors |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> and the Association for Primary Education and Research (APER) India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-11 |title=ECA launches Association for Primary Education and Research (APER) |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/eca-launches-association-for-primary-education-and-research-aper-1617871-2019-11-11 |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> She also serves as the president of the Podar Education Network<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-09-05 |title=Maharashtra among states with fewest women principals |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-among-states-with-fewest-women-principals/articleshow/65678382.cms |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> and is the founder and director of Podar Jumbo Kids and Podar Prep.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-06-21 |title=Schools celebrated International Yoga Day with much fervour across the city |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/schools-celebrated-international-yoga-day-with-much-fervour-across-the-city/articleshow/52847011.cms |access-date=2024-05-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><br />
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Vats has received recognition for her contributions to education, both domestically and internationally.<ref name="Kiducation">{{Cite web |date=12 February 2024 |title=Burlington English & Early Childhood Association of India Join Hands to Develop NCF-Aligned books following Play-Based pedagogy |url=https://www.apnnews.com/burlington-english-early-childhood-association-of-india-join-hands-to-develop-ncf-aligned-books-following-play-based-pedagogy/ |website=APNNews}}</ref><br />
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==Career==<br />
===Educationist===<br />
Vats has been in the field of education for 38 years. She holds several positions in the education sector globally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-17 |title=Podar Pearl School holds investiture ceremony |url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/719367/podar-pearl-school-holds-investiture-ceremony |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Gulf Times |language=en}}</ref> These include the President of Podar Education Network, Early Years Consultant, Series Editor for the [[University of Cambridge|Cambridge]] International Early Years Program in India, and serving on the advisory board of [[Cambridge University Press and Assessment]] South Asia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=Introducing the Cambridge South Asia Advisory Board |url=https://www.cambridge.org/news-and-insights/South-Asia-Advisory-Board |website=Cambridge}}</ref><br />
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She is also a Global member of the Think Tank of [[Kidzania]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ScooNews |first=Team |date=2018-10-16 |title=KidZania adopts the model of direct learning by "doing". |url=https://scoonews.com/news/news-in-our-school-education-we-need-to-move-from-writing-and-copying-from-the-blackboard-to-more-activities-that-are-hands-on-and-interactive-3344/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=scoonews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> She is the founder expert on the world's first video-based parenting [[website]] Born Smart which helps parents understand and nurture brain development in the first 1000 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dutta |first=Shelly Walia, Saptarishi |date=2015-02-09 |title=Homework, stress, and tradition make it hard for Indian parents to spare the rod |url=https://qz.com/india/340795/homework-stress-and-tradition-make-it-hard-for-indian-parents-to-spare-the-rod |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Quartz |language=en}}</ref><br />
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She has also designed ECE curriculum for multiple global preps.<br />
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===Author===<br />
Vats authored over 30 books for children, parents and educators covering topics such as early childhood development and effective [[parenting]] strategies. Notable among her works is 'Once Upon a Story,' co-authored with [[Vinitha]], which offers insights into the life and teaching methodology of [[Gijubhai Badheka]], targeting educators.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |date=2019-06-15 |title=Once Upon a Story- A book launched on the teachings of educationist, Gijubhai Badeka |url=https://www.punekarnews.in/once-upon-a-story-a-book-launched-on-the-teachings-of-educationist-gijubhai-badeka/ |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=Punekar News |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, Vats co-authored 'Once Upon a Child' with [[Swaroop Sampat]], which is about the life and times of [[Lev Vygotsky]] and how his work has found an important place in the [[Reggio Emilia approach]].<br />
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==Contribution to early childhood education==<br />
Vats has studied the early childhood policy and [[curriculum]] of more than 52 countries and is instrumental in adapting the Te Whariki curriculum of the government of [[New Zealand]] and some other countries' curriculums. As an advocate for children's rights, Vats has worked incessantly to promote developmentally-appropriate curriculums and ban school interviews of children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2018 |title=Interviewing kids separately for pre-primary admissions isn't okay: Parents |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-interviewing-kids-separately-for-pre-primary-admissions-isn-t-okay-parents-2699243 |website=DNA India}}</ref> As President of Early Childhood Association, she is involved with many state governments in developing the policy for ECE and CBSE board's optional subject of ECE for standard XI and XII.<br />
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Vats has also introduced Kiducation philosophy which is about education from the point of view of the child's overall development. Its goal is to make changes in the education system, by obliterating stress by gifting children stress-free learning.<ref name="Kiducation" /><br />
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Her most recent agenda is the pursuit of bringing awareness about child safety be it road safety or the safety of children and adolescents from sexual abuse and for this, she has organized workshops<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 March 2011 |title=Teachers in a flap over kids locking lips |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/teachers-in-a-flap-over-kids-locking-lips/articleshow/21643294.cms |website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> and written two books 'When Touch Becomes Trouble' and 'The Secret Touch', and a handbook 'A New Normal - Understand.Prevent.Heal: Winning the war against [[child sexual abuse]]',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 June 2014 |title=Saving kids from the monster |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/saving-kids-from-the-monster/article6075174.ece |website=The Hindu}}</ref> that can help kids, teachers, and parents. She has used stories to train children on Good Touch Bad Touch and teachers on POCSO awareness.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2010 |title=Toddlers taught about good touch, bad touch |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/other/toddlers-taught-about-good-touch-bad-touch/articleshow/16077633.cms |website=Mumbai Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=29 January 2011 |title=A touch of sexed |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/a-touch-of-sexed/articleshow/7383023.cms |website=TOI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2013 |title=Schools become agents of change |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai/schools-become-agents-of-change/story-eUUeXu2doy5lSbVXpfHiCO.html |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><br />
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She has delivered two TED talks, titled ''Innocence''<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2020 |title=Innocence |url=https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_swati_popat_vats_innocence |website=Ted}}</ref> and ''A Full Brain Work-Out.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2024 |title=Storytelling: A Full Brain Workout Dr. Swati Popat Vats TEDxBund Garden Youth |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbB_XDbiX5I |website=YouTube |publisher=[[TED (conference)|TedX Talks]] |language=en |format=video}}</ref><br />
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==Bibliography==<br />
*{{cite book |title=Jumbo Ideas for Happy Roads |date=2010 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-8190795364 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Who Likes Mud? |date=2011 |publisher=eca-india.org |isbn=978-9380711102 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Choosing the right education for your child.. |date=2011 |publisher=eca-india.org |isbn=978-9380711027 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=When Touch Becomes Trouble |date=2012 |isbn=978-9380711140 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=How to teach so kids can learn |date=2013 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-8190795333 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Are you unknowingly harming your child |date=2013 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-8190795302 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Red Riding hood and the wolf |date=2013 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-9380711133 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Why does Zelda need stripes |date=2013 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-8190795319 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Goldilocks and the three magic words|date=2013 |isbn=978-9380711126 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=How to be a Super Mom |date=2013 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-8190795388 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Parikrama |date=2014 |publisher=eca-india.org |isbn=978-8192786827 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=BORN SMART |date=2015 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-9380711249 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Safety Manual for Kindergartens & Early Childhood Centres |date=2015 |publisher=eca-india.org |isbn=978-8192786834 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=The secret touch |date=2015 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-9380711324 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=My Diwali Story |date=2015 |publisher=Podar Publishing |isbn=978-9380711201 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Growing Up With Mahatma Gandhi |date=2015 |publisher=Podar Publishing |isbn=978-9380711348 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=The Tiger The Bee The Sparrow |date=2016 |publisher=Early Childhood Association |isbn=978-8192786889 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Quality in Early Childhood Education |date=2016 |publisher=eca-india.org |isbn=978-8192786865 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Look Who's Talking |date=2016 |publisher=Podar Publishing |asin=B01BDRP7UG |asin-tld=in |language=English}} (co-authored with Shiven Jain)<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 February 2016 |title=The shocking findings in this survey of 900 kids will force you to introspect |url=https://news.yahoo.com/the-shocking-findings-in-this-survey-of-900-kids-102955179.html |website=Yahoo! News}}</ref><br />
*{{cite book |title=Effective Practices for Addressing Challenging Behaviours |date=2016 |publisher=eca-india.org |isbn=978-8192786858 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=A-Z OF PARENTING |date=2017 |publisher=EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION |isbn=978-8192786803 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Once Upon A Gift |date=2017 |publisher=Crossword and WritePlace |isbn=978-9392091001 |language=English}} (co-authored)<br />
*{{cite book |title=Super Dads are Born Smart |date=2017 |publisher=Podar publishing |isbn=978-9380711041 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: POLICY INTO PRACTICE |date=2017 |publisher=EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSOCIATION |isbn=978-8192786896 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Once Upon a Story: Divaswapna and the Gijubhai Method |date=2019 |publisher=The Write Place & Authors Upfront |isbn= 978-9-38728-031-1 |language=English}} (co-authored with [[Vinitha]])<br />
*{{cite book |title=Ms. Pencil and Her Team |date=2020 |publisher=Kakani Edu Media Pvt Ltd |asin=B08JD1V3QS |asin-tld=in |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Foundational Numeracy |date=2020 |publisher=Scholastic India |isbn=978-9354719646 |language=English}} (co-authored with Fatema Agarkar)<br />
*{{cite book |title=Yash and Yashika Learn about Coding |date=2020 |publisher=Scholastic India |isbn=978-9390066780 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=My Feelings |date=2020 |publisher=Early Childhood Association |isbn=978-8193599853 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=NEP - National Education Policy - From policy to practice |date=2021 |publisher=Edu-Tech Publishing |asin=B08WK8DQ6B |asin-tld=in |language=English}} (co-authored)<br />
*{{cite book |title=Cod and Codie Love to Code |date=2021 |publisher=Scholastic India |isbn=978-9390189755 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Gosh! Why does Gina need spots? |date=2021 |publisher=Early Childhood Association |isbn=978-8195351138 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=No! I am not a takin |date=2021 |isbn=978-9389058529 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=No! I am not a Kangaroo |date=2021 |isbn=978-9389058512 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=No! I am not an Elephant |date=2021 |isbn=978-9389058505 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Understanding Metacognition in the foundational years |date=2021 |publisher=Edu-Tech Publishing |asin=B08WK71218 |asin-tld=in |language=English}} (co-authored)<br />
*{{cite book |title=Why do words and numbers confuse Jai and Sashi |date=2021 |publisher=Scholastic India |isbn=9789351035336 |language=English}}<br />
*{{cite book |title=Once Upon a Child |date=2024 |publisher=Scholastic India |isbn=978-9354718618 |language=English}} (co-authored with [[Swaroop Sampat]])<br />
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==Awards and recognitions==<br />
*NZTC Fellowship of Honour 2012 by New Zealand Tertiary College.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intouch_October_2019 |url=https://www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz/sites/default/files/Intouch_October_2019.pdf |website=New Zealand Tertiary College}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Journey of innovation spans decades for NZTC Fellowship of Honour recipient |url=https://www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz/news/early-childhood-education-health-and-wellbeing/journey-innovation-spans-decades-nztc |website=New Zealand Tertiary College}}</ref><br />
*IDA Education Awards 2023 for Exemplary Leadership in Early Learning by India Didactics Association<ref>{{Cite web |title=IDA Education Awards 2023 - Winners |url=https://awards.indiadidac.org/education/winners-2023/ |website=IDA}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Popat Vats, Swati}}<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]<br />
[[Category:Indian writers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian children's writers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian women children's writers]]<br />
[[Category:Indian educators]]<br />
[[Category:21st-century Indian women educators]]</div>ErmelindaDez