The Early Childhood Development Kit A Treasure Box of Activities An Overview ECD-in-Emergencies Training, New York, 2-5 August 2011 ECD-in-Emergencies Training, New York, 2-5 August 2011

Outline ECD in emergencies: Existing challenges Why an ECD kit? How did the ECD kit initiative start? The ECD Kit Basics What is in the ECD kit? Exploring what is ‘inside the box’ Where is the ECD kit being used? Views from the field Conclusions/Recommendations The cost of each kit is $350.00

ECD in emergencies: Existing challenges Today’s global crises have displaced an estimated 50 million people, of whom over 40% are children (highest IDP’s in Sudan 5 million) In 2010 UNICEF responded to at least 290 humanitarian situations in 98 countries The cost of each kit is $350.00

ECD in emergencies: Existing challenges Worldwide, experts predict at least 200 million children under 5 will fail to reach their full potential in cognitive and socio-emotional development because of malnutrition, iodine and iron deficiencies and inadequate stimulation during the first five years of their lives The cost of each kit is $350.00

ECD in emergencies: Existing challenges Emergencies pose a set of challenges for young children living in difficult situations. They are at increased risk of Loss of parents/separation from primary caregivers, Sexual and gender-biased violence, Physical harm, Long-term negative emotional and psychological effects The cost of each kit is $350.00

Why an ECD kit? It was created to strengthen the holistic response for young children ages 0-6 caught in conflict or emergency situations. The kit is complementary to main sector programme interventions (hygiene and sanitation, health and nutrition, protection and education) The cost of each kit is $350.00

Specific Objectives Establish positive and supportive adult-child interactions Create a safe and secure play and learning environment Foster self-esteem and confidence Develop critical and early learning and development skills Promote interaction between young children of the same or different ages The cost of each kit is $350.00

The use of learning tools in the ECD Kits helps children to develop Increased hand eye coordination and the ability to handle tools and materials effectively; Use of symbols, pictures, familiar letters and words to communicate meaning; An understanding of different attributes of objects such as colour, size, weight, texture; The skill to be able to match, sequence and classify objects; Understanding of pattern seeking and pattern making, using different attributes of objects; and Basic understanding of quantity, counting, and of simple number operations.

How did the ECD kit initiative start? In 2004, IECD Unit conducted a needs assessment survey in over 30 countries facing an emergency: Most of the countries (83%) expressed the need for a ECD Kit to help establish play and learning activities for young children and their caregivers; Kits could be used in Child Friendly Spaces (CFS), child care centres, baby clinics in IDP/refugee camps; Caregivers, preschool teachers, NGO workers would need to be trained to safely and effectively implement the ECD Kit The cost of each kit is $350.00

The ECD Kit Pilot - 2006

How did the ECD kit initiative start? Based on survey results, ECD Kit was developed in collaboration with Education, Child Protection, WASH and Supply Division; Piloted in 2006 in seven countries (Chad, Liberia, Congo Brazzaville, Jamaica, Guyana, Maldives, and Iraq); Outcomes and recommendations from the pilot informed adjustments to the materials included in the Kit Additional inputs from ECD and emergency specialists demonstrated that training and guidelines are essential for safe and effective implementation of the Kit ECD Kit was finalized and launched in July 2009 in Geneva The cost of each kit is $350.00

The ECD Kit: Basic Facts Targets 0-6 year olds Can accommodate up to 50 young children Contains 36 different materials ( activities with materials and activities without materials) for learning and play including: puzzles and games; counting circle and boxes to stack and sort; board books and puppets; art supplies; soap and collapsable water cans for promoting hygiene. Includes easy to use Activity Guide on how to use each item based on children’s age and interest The cost of each kit is $350.00

The ECD Kit: Basic Facts The Activity Guides are now available on-line in 5 languages (E/F/S/P/R) at http://www.unicef.org/supply/index_52666.html The kits are available to order through UNICEF Supply Division Costs US $350 plus shipping and weighs 34 kgs The cost of each kit is $350.00

ECD Kits: An investment to manage Each kit costs USD 350 Each kit caters for 40-50 children Scenario: 22,000 kits, cost = 7, 700,000.00 USD Total no. children = 1,100,000.00 It is critical to ensure coordinators/facilitators are adequately trained so that such significant investment achieves its objectives.

ECD Kit Supportive Materials Activity Guide: Easy to use activity cards based on materials in the kit as well as activities without materials; Targeting different age groups (babies, 1-3, 4-6); Primary user: caregivers; Available in 5 languages; Produced in Copenhagen and inserted in the ECD Kit Coordinator’s Guide: Designed to support overall coordination of ECD kit programme implementation at country level; Covers range of topics: situation analysis and programme design, planning and implementation, operations and management, monitoring and evaluation; Available on-line

ECD Kit Supportive Materials Facilitator’s Guide: Designed for trainers working with early childhood care providers to use the ECD Kit; Activity based and participatory; Covers range of topics: child development, dealing with stress, making toys using local materials; Available on-line

ECD Kits deployment: A Global View

ECD Kit supplies- Distribution per region The cost of each kit is $350.00

Voices from the field “I love to come to school and play with the toys given to us from the ECD Kit. I have learnt the names of colours, shapes and learnt to put things in the form of a chain. At home I make the same shapes using mud, and my mother feels happy. We enjoy it. We love our teacher also.” – Khalida Habib ECE student at GPS Qadirabad, Rajanpur, Pakistan

Group Work Small Group Activity – Exploring the Materials Small Group Activity – Understanding the Activity Sheets Small Group Work – Designing Activities The ECD Kit is useful, it is a good way to provide for our children’s development during emergency and beyond. During the situations of crisis, instability and violence, young children are the most vulnerable and they need attention. Being able to respond to the special needs of younger children together with their caregivers lead to a faster recovery and rehabilitation. Helping young children in organized learning/ECD centres also helped mothers/caregivers to overcome their own depression and distress