1. An Overview of Early Childhood Development
Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood by
Khadija Khan
Chief Executive Officer
SERENA HOTEL
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2. Why Early Childhood Development is Critical?
Holistic development (cognitive, physical, emotional and social) provides sound foundation for the rest of a person’s life
During the first 1000days, children’s brain can form 700 to 1,000 neural connections every second which are the building blocks of their future. Therefore, first 1,000 days of life have a profound impact on brain development

3. The First 1,000 Days of Life = + + 1000 270 365 365
The first 1000 days beginning at the time of conception on to a baby’s second birthday
First
Pregnancy
Year 1
Year 2
1000
270
365
365 = + +
Days
Days
Days
Days
April 26, 2019

4. Brain Development Born with 100 billion brain cells
All the neurons have the same genetic potential
Our brain is Sensitive and Reactive and further development of connections is dependent on stimuli from the sensory pathways
Upto15,000 synaptic connections may be established for each cell
Signals can be sent to other cells at speeds of more than 200 mph
75% of brain development occurs by age 1 and 90% by age 3
April 26, 2019

5. Critical Point of Intervention Critical Point of
Window of Opportunity
At birth, 25%
At age 1, 75%
At age 3, 90%
Brain Development

6. The Plasticity of Brain Architecture Decreases over Time
The neuroplasticity formed at the early age underlies a child’s physical and mental health, life long capacity to learn, adapt to change and develop psychological resilience
Brain has more plasticity in early years and its capacity for change decreases with age
Accommodates a wide range of environments and interaction during early years
Early Plasticity makes the brain both more vulnerable to harm and more capable of recovery
Window of opportunity for different type of skills
April 26, 2019

7. Example of sensitive periods:
Basic vision and hearing which develop first;
Early language skills and higher cognitive functions which develop later

8. Preconception and pregnancy Adolescence and adulthood
New Evidence Advancing ECD: A Life Course Perspective
Reach Developmental Potential
Preconception and pregnancy
Parenting
Newborn
Early childhood
Mid-childhood
Adolescence and adulthood
NURTURING CARE:
Health
Nutrition
Security & Safety
Responsive Caregiving
Early Learning
Multi-generational life course of development, health, and well-being
Enabling Environment for Caregiver, Family, Community
Social, Economic, Political, Climatic, Cultural Contexts

9. Early Childhood Stress Influences Brain Development
April 26, 2019

10. Neglect Impedes Brain Development
Limited exposure to language, touch or social interactions
Emotional or cognitive neglect
Physical Threat
Early, frequent and intense threat
Structural Changes
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11. Disparities in Early Vocabulary Growth
1200
1000
Children of College Educated
800
Children of Lower Middle Class
Cumulative Vocabulary (Words)
600
Children of Parents in Poverty
400
200
16 mos.
24 mos.
36 mos.
Child’s Age (Months)
Source: Hart & Risley (1995)

12. ‘Serve and Return’ Relationship
The interactive influences of genes and experience shape the developing brain; genes provide the blue print for brain development, but environment shapes it
Brain development occurs through the brain’s active engagement in everyday experience
Major ingredient in the developmental process is the ‘Serve and Return’ interactions
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13. Rates of Return to Human Development Investment Across all Ages
‘Policy makers should invest in young children where the return on investment is stronger than in low-skilled adults’
James Heckman, a Nobel-prize winning economist
April 26, 2019

14. A compelling investment
Children who get the right nutrition during the first 1000 days:
Are 10 times more likely to overcome the most life threatening child diseases
Complete 4.6 more grades at school
Go on to earn 21% more in wages as adults
Are more likely as adults to have healthier families

15. SDGs – a unique and significant opportunity to drive integrated transformation in ECD
Goal 1: ECD is cost effective
Goal 2: Stimulation and nutrition
Goal 3: Healthy lives, long healthy life
Goal 4: Lifelong learning begins at birth
Goal 5: Gender equality, greater investment in quality childcare
Goal 8: Promote decent work, professionalization of caregivers
Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities
Goal 11: Safe cities, ECD spaces, natural love for environment
Goal 16: Peaceful societies

16. Situation of children – Under 5
In low and middle-income countries
43% at risk of not achieving development potential
75 million live in areas affected by conflict, exposed to toxic stress, potentially inhibiting brain cell connections
155 million are stunted, which prevents brain development
25% of 2-4 year olds (in 64 countries) do not have opportunities essential for brain development such as playing, reading and singing
300 million live in areas with toxic air, which can damage their developing brains
Early moments Matter –UNICEF for every child 2017

17. ECD: Uncertain Times Pakistan
Millions of children risk not meeting developmental potential
Poverty
Widespread malnutrition - children and maternal
Lack of stimulation, exposure to environmental hazards
44% of children < 5 years old stunted
23.7% net enrollment in pre-primary school
Many challenges complicate ECD
Limited progress in addressing basic determinants
Little or no investment in ECD
Population growth
Urban migration
Natural disasters
Socio-political instability and conflict

18. ECD Programming in Pakistan
Vision 2025 by Ministry Of Planning & Development
NHSR&C and DoH:
MNCH Programme
Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme
Infant Young Child Feeding Strategy(IYCF)
Expanded Programme on Immunisation
Ministry of Education & Education Departments
Section on ECE in the National Education Policy 2017
Revision of Curriculum on ECE in 2017
Development of books for age 4 -5 based on NC Of ECCE
Development of ECE Policy & stratgies in provinces & alignment of Education Sector Plans with SDGs

19. INGOs working on ECD UNICEF UNESCO WHO WFP World Bank DFiD USAID
AUSAID
Save the Children
Plan International
Foundation Open Society
European Commission
World Learning
BRAC

20. NGOs working on ECD RUPANI FOUNDATION
Aga Khan Development Network(AKDN)
RSPN
Idar-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi
PARWAAN
Right to Play
HANDS
Society
Sindh Education Foundation
Teachers’ Resource Center(TRC)
HASHOO FOUNDATION
BUNYAAD
Individual Initiatives

21. Academia Universities Education Colleges Private Training Institutions
Research Centers
Private School System

22. SDGs – a unique and significant opportunity to drive integrated transformation in ECD
How do we help children to develop their potential in their diverse cultures and contexts?
How do we help to prepare 21st century children for a safe and harmonious planet in a dynamic, pluralistic, technological world?
How do we help children to have the ability to handle complex information, be flexible, adaptable, problem-solvers, creative and critical thinkers?
How do we nurture children to put themselves in another person’s shoes?

23. ECD: From ‘Why’ to ‘How’(Slide prepared by Dr Almina Pardhan)
Leverage on SDGs for integrated transformation
Collective commitment to action
Multisector approach: polices, planning, monitoring
Visibility of ECD in national and provincial budgets
Urgently invest in children
Systems-based approach, integrated into existing platforms
Research
Study and learn from lo—cost intervention models
Scale-up models
Family & child friendly policies and services
Contextualize community messages
Increase protection for children

24. A nation is only as good as its children – let us invest in our future by investing in Early Child Development
April 26, 2019