What is early childhood development?
Early childhood development supports children’s development from birth to age five. It includes programmes and services that supports nurturing care including health, nutrition, play, learning and protection. Its interventions address four developmental domains of a growing child - physical, cognitive, linguistic and socio-emotional development.
Why is it important?
By the time a child reaches five years old, 90% of their brain has already developed – which means the progression from birth to school is the most important time of their lives. Children from poorer and marginalized homes who are unable to access support are put at a distinct disadvantage. If they start school at five without early years’ support, they will have a limited vocabulary and ability to learn. Developmental differences between those children who have what they need for healthy brains and bodies and those who do not can show up as early as nine months old. The impacts of inadequate care, nutrition and cognitive stimulation during these early months and years can last a lifetime.
Five key areas of quality nurturing care
1. Nutrition
Early childhood development with nutrition support for babies and toddlers, nursing mothers, and even pregnant women, since roughly 20% of chronic malnutrition begins before birth due to maternal malnutrition. early years programmes that support adequate nutrition include promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, providing food and nutrient supplements to mothers and older toddlers, and making sure children have access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
2. Health
Critical for young children is access to health care, starting with ante- and postnatal visits for pregnant women, a skilled birth attendant, and including vaccinations, treatment of chronic and acute illness, and routine check ups. Nutrition and health interventions go hand-in-hand with support for water and sanitation, which safeguards good nutrition and prevents deadly bacterial infection. These interventions include access to clean drinking water, hand washing practices, toilet facilities and proper disposal of diapers.
3. Play
Opportunities for play and early learning are just as important to healthy development as physical support. For babies and toddlers, this means interventions to support consistent nurture and responsive communication or “serve and return” interactions with adults, including home visits, training for caregivers, and access to quality childcare. For older children, preschool programmes are important opportunities for early learning, play, and developing social and emotional skills that underpin success in primary school.
4. Learning
The recent report by the Education Commission showed that preschool education is one of the best-proven practices for increasing participation and learning. The report said that participation in quality pre- primary programs increases the likelihood of primary school attendance and decreases grade repetition and dropping out. Good quality preschools also improve school readiness and can lead to better primary school outcomes, particularly for poor and disadvantaged students.
5. Protection Child protection is an important component of ensuring healthy early development. This starts with registration at birth, so that children have proper legal standing and are guaranteed access to services such as education. Child protection also includes ensuring young children do not experience violence or neglect from caretakers, or endure constant insecurity and violence in their surroundings.
