Lancet Series: Advancing early childhood development: from science to scale
This Series considers new scientific evidence for interventions, building on the findings and recommendations of a previous Lancet Series on child development (2007, 2011), and proposes pathways for implementation of early childhood development at scale. The Series emphasises ‘nurturing care’, especially of children below three years of age, and multi-sectoral interventions starting with health, which can have wide reach to families and young children through health and nutrition.
WHO guideline on improving early childhood development
This WHO guideline provides global, evidence-informed recommendations on improving early childhood development through interventions that support responsive caregiving and early learning. Evidence shows that early childhood development is an outcome of healthy, nurturing interactions between caregivers and children, and as such, the guideline focuses on the needs of both the caregivers and young children. The guideline, intended for a wide range of stakeholders, also recommends integrating caregiving and nutrition interventions and supporting mental health.
Operationalizing nurturing care for early childhood development: The health sector alongside other sectors and actors
This guidance note specifically targets the health sector and aims to catalyse country-level dialogue and action focusing on health service delivery and systems strengthening, while also outlining complementary actions by other sectors. It is relevant for national governments, specifically ministries of health, and for national and global development partners and other stakeholders.
Care for child development: improving the care for young children
Published by WHO and UNICEF in 2012, this publication recommends play and communication activities for families to stimulate the learning of their children. Also, through play and communication, adults learn how to be sensitive to the needs of children and respond appropriately to meet them. These basic care-giving skills contribute to the survival, as well as the healthy growth and development, of young children. Available in English, French and Spanish.
Caring for children’s healthy growth and development
This WHO guideline provides global, evidence-informed recommendations on improving early childhood development through interventions that support responsive caregiving and early learning. Evidence shows that early childhood development is an outcome of healthy, nurturing interactions between caregivers and children, and as such, the guideline focuses on the needs of both the caregivers and young children.
Reach Up and Learn: The package
The Reach Up Early Childhood Parenting Programme is based on the Jamaica Home Visit (JHV) intervention, designed by Sally Grantham-McGregor. The programme provides a comprehensive training package for trainers, supervisors and home visitors. It has been integrated with health, nutrition and social protection programmes in 15 countries. The Reach Up and Learn package contains videos, manuals and sample training materials etc.
