Home-based records have a long history, initially used to record proof of smallpox vaccinations in the mid-1800s. Today, more than 163 countries use a form of home-based record, such as antenatal notes, vaccination-only cards, child health booklets or integrated maternal and child health handbooks. This publication recommends home-based records to improve care-seeking behaviours, men’s involvement and support in the household, maternal and child home care practices, infant and child feeding and communication between health workers and women, parents and caregivers. Read More →

This open-access package is designed to provide a standardized method for measuring development of children birth to 36 months of age at population and programmatic levels globally. The GSED measures capture child development holistically through a common unit, the Developmental score (D-score). The package includes the Short and Long Forms, scoring guide, adaptation and translation guide and a technical report that summarizes the creation process of the GSED, the validation methodology and psychometric properties.Read More →

These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on parenting interventions for parents and caregivers of children aged 0-17 years that are designed to reduce child maltreatment and harsh parenting, enhance the parent-child relationship, and prevent poor parent mental health and child emotional and behavioural problems.Read More →

This report summarizes the findings of a multicountry study examining the impact of formula milk marketing on infant feeding decisions and practices, which was commissioned by WHO and UNICEF. The research study – the largest of its kind to date – draws on the experiences of over 8500 women and more than 300 health professionals across eight countries (Bangladesh, China, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Viet Nam). It exposes the aggressive marketing practices used by the formula milk industry, highlights the impacts on women and families, and outlines opportunities for action.Read More →

This three-paper series outlines the multifaceted and highly effective strategies used by commercial formula manufacturers to target parents, health-care professionals, and policy-makers. The industry’s dubious marketing practices—in breach of the breastfeeding Code—are compounded by lobbying of governments, often covertly via trade associations and front groups, against strengthening breastfeeding protection laws and challenging food standard regulations.Read More →

In this thematic brief Moving Minds Alliance looks at integrating early childhood development in emergencies within nutrition sector response plans and programs. They share evidence from various contexts of the positive effects that integration of ECDIE and nutrition has on both children and their caregivers. They include some existing entry points for integration and examples of different nutrition and responsive caregiving programs.Read More →

Moving Minds Alliance dives deeper to understand our brain and how it responds to stress. They consider threats faced by young children in crisis, such as being exposed to prolonged stress and adversity, and discuss how to mitigate the impact on their brain development. They also share how the humanitarian sector can incorporate early childhood development programs in their emergency response plans and programs through the nurturing framework lens.Read More →

Following the launch of the Nurturing care framework in 2018, numerous resources have been developed to support advocacy and implementation of the Framework. This brochure introduces them, with a general background and links to the nurturing care handbook, practice guide, advocacy toolkit, thematic briefs, country profiles and more.Read More →

This brief defines early childhood development and why it is important to understand, especially in crisis contexts. It also explains the Nurturing Care Framework and how to use it to mitigate risks for young children in crisis settings and supporting them to have a healthy development. The fact sheet also provides simple recommendations on how to support early childhood development programming, financing and research in supporting young children in crisis and their caregivers.Read More →

This Thematic Brief summarizes the evidence regarding the benefits of men’s engagement on outcomes for women, children, and even men themselves. It consolidates the learnings thus far regarding designing and adapting services to engage men in providing nurturing care. Finally, it recommends practical actions for policymakers and programme designers across four enabling environments: policies, services, communities and caregivers – all illustrated with case studies. It focuses particularly on what health services can do, while also covering education, social protection and other sectors. Read More →

The WHO has commissioned a systematic review and meta-analysis of 102 randomized controlled trials of parenting interventions for children during the first 3 years of life that were implemented across a total of 33 countries. Among the findings, the review found greater effects on child cognitive development, parenting knowledge, parenting practices, and parent–child interactions for programs that focused on responsive caregiving compared to those that did not.Read More →

This publication provides a brief overview on the science of ECD, the components of nurturing care, and specific, actionable ways paediatricians can champion ECD in their clinics and communities. The issue brief was developed as part of the Academy’s ECD grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, which focused on strengthening the capacity of paediatric societies in promoting ECD in Kenya and Tanzania.Read More →

Multisectoral national policies for early childhood development have been developed since 1979, yet until now the number of countries adopting them has not been systematically documented. This is a descriptive study conducted to assess historical trends in policy adoption, regional coverage, income levels, governance categories, and crisis countries. Read More →