The Karona: Thodi Masti Thodi Padhai program was developed to continue and encourage learning for children aged three to six years within the home learning environment in communities in India. The program was newly developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and based upon existing programs including direct play-based interventions within preschool services and community-based mothers’ groups. The program followed a community-centric model placing mothers at the centre of the child’s learning process.