Early Childhood Development

This section looks at issues related to HIV/AIDS that affect early childhood development. Another section looks in general at issues relating to education. Another section looks in more detail at issues relating to school age children.

Early childhood is a period during which children learn and develop extremely rapidly. This development depends on a number of key factors including health, education, stimulation and interaction. Interventions at this stage have been shown to have great benefits for children including:

  • Higher intelligence scores
  • Higher and timelier school enrollment
  • Less grade repetition and lower dropout rates
  • Higher school completion rates
  • Improved nutrition and health status
  • Improved social and emotional behavior
  • Improved parent-child relationship
  • Increased earning potential and economic self-sufficiency as an adult
  • Increased female labour force participation

At a conference on Early Childhood Development in 2001, it was agreed that HIV/AIDS was having serious effects on young children's development. However, it was agreed that relatively little was known about this because of the tendency to focus on children between 0-18 years of age as one group.

Resources

Child Labour: Combating Child Labour throught Education (eng)

This document examines the history of human rights programmes aimed at children. Outlines vocational and skills training used to successfully rehabilitate former child workers.
Natalie Drew and Yayoi Segi, IPEC/ILO, 2004, PDF, 40 pages, 1331 kb


The Impact of AIDS on Early Childhood Care and Education (Eng)

This document outlines the findings of a study to understand the impact of HIV on childhood. UNESCO, Jody Heymann, 2003, 2 pages.

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'What about very young children' Early Childhood Development Working Paper No. 35

Training and Resources in Early Education. This website is dedicated to training in early education and advocating children's rights. Bernard Van Leer Foundation, Alison Dunn, 2005, 72 pages.

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www.tree-ecd.co.za

Training and Resources in Early Education. This website is dedicated to training in early education and advocating children's rights.

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www.ecdgroup.com

The website offers detailed information on particular aspects of early childhood care for development as well as working papers, reports written or commisioned by the CG consortium and regional partners. It also contains on-line resources and non-electronic resources relating to young children (0-8) and their families.
The consultative group on early childhood care and development (CGECCD).

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Coordinators’ notebook - An international resource for early childhood development. Issue 26: HIV/AIDS and early childhood (Eng)

This resource examines the particular vulnerabilities of young children (0-8 years old) affected by HIV & AIDS.
The consultative group on early childhood care and development (CGECCD), 2002, PDF, 70 pages, 668 kb

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HIV positive: a book for caregivers to help children cope emotionally with HIV/AIDS (Eng)

This book offers practical ways in which caregivers can help children under nine to cope with the emotional affect that HIV may have on their lives.
The media in education trust (MiET), PDF, 40 pages, 1610 kb

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Development milestones. Understanding child development and developmental milestones (Eng)

This is a training unit from REPSSI on understanding early childhood development and how to support children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI), word, 12 pages, 91 kb

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Early Childhood Development Round Table: Summary of Discussions (Eng)

This is a brief report of a meeting held in 2001 to discuss issues affecting the field of Early Childhood Development.
Aga Khan Foundation and World Bank, 2001, PDF, 3 pages, 156 kb.

Early Childhood Development

This is the World Bank website dedicated to Early Childhood Development.
World Bank.

Caring with confidence: Practical information for health workers who prevent and treat HIV infection in children (Eng)

The briefing paper focuses on children aged from birth to five years and it is intended for health workers in developing countries who are responsible for the care of young children with HIV and AIDS, aswell as educators and NGO/CBOs working on HIV prevention and care of young children affected by HIV and AIDS.
Healthlink Worldwide, 1997, PDF, 12380kb, 64 pages

Community Care for Orphans and AIDS-Affected Children: Speak for the Child: Case Study: Kenya

This case study of the Speak for the Child project in Western Kenya includes examples of how very young children have been supported.
Lusk, D., Mararu, J., O'Gara, C. and Dastur, S.,  AED/USAID, 2003, PDF, 44 pages, 344 kb.

The World Bank - Early Childhood Development

This site is a knowledge source designed to assist policy makers, program managers, and practitioners in their efforts to promote the healthy growth and integral development of young children.

Source Database on HIV/AIDS and Early Childhood Development (Eng)

This webpage contains a list of books, reports and journal articles on HIV/AIDS and early childhood development

Community Care for Orphans and AIDS-Affected Children: Speak for the Child: Case Study: Kenya

This document outlines findings from a pilot project in Kenya employing participatory learning activities to connect with the community, identify the most vulnerable children and then create an effective program
Lusk, D., Mararu, J., O'Gara, C. and Dastur, S.  AED/USAID. 2003, 313KB, 52 pages