Investing in the early years is one of the wisest things a country can do to end extreme poverty, increase shared prosperity, and create the human capital required for economies to diversify and grow. Early childhood experiences have a significant impact on brain development, influencing learning, health, behavior, and, eventually, productivity and income. Hence, parents should be careful about their child’s developmental phase, ensuring their children’s strong foundation for a better future.
Early childhood development programmes have been established to help parents, caregivers, practitioners, and policymakers understand the importance of early childhood development and learn how to support children and families during this critical stage. However, millions of young children are not reaching their full potential today due to poor nutrition, a lack of early stimulation, learning, and nurturing care, and stress exposure.
Challenges for kids in their Developmental Phase
The development of kids at an early age is quite challenging, and some of those challenges are discussed below:
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Poverty and stunting threaten the development of 250 million children under the age of five in low-and middle-income countries across the globe (or low height for their age).
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Only 60% of all three-to six-year-olds across the globe have access to pre-primary education. Only one out of every five children in low-income countries has access to preschool.
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The displacement of one in every 200 children in the world exposes them to stress that can stunt their development.
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Nearly 350 million children under the age of five across the globe, or more than 40% of all children, lack access to childcare.
Why is the development of kids at an early age considered important?
It has been demonstrated that a child's early experiences have a big influence on how they develop later in life. Because of this, it's crucial for parents and other adults who work with kids to comprehend precisely what happens throughout these formative years. This enables them to efficiently satisfy a child's requirements and make sure they have the best start in life.
Even though children are still in this time when they start school, research has found that only 25% of parents understand the significance of the first five years. In addition, teacher preparation does not fully address the early years. Due to both parties' ignorance, it may be difficult to give kids the ideal settings, which could hinder their development. Guidance on the stages of child development, milestones children attain within each stage, and how to stimulate development are regarded as crucial in order to comprehend the early years. Consult with our Paediatrist in Goa to know more about the development of your child.
How does the development of kids at an early age take place?
The term "development" refers to how a child evolves, grows, and acquires abilities—not just physically but also socially, emotionally, cognitively, and communicatively. Five stages of a child's development can be identified:
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Newborn (0-3 months)
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Infant (3-12 months)
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Toddler (1-3 years)
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Preschool age (3-4 years)
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School-age (4-5 years)
Milestones are a crucial indicator that is frequently utilized in relation to physical development. The skills that most kids can execute at a specific age are known as developmental milestones. The physical development of a baby throughout the first year of life is focused on helping the child learn how to move independently, hold things, and perfect their hand-to-mouth coordination. Before the age of one, children grow rapidly, so milestones are measured in months.
By the time a child reaches the age of five, 85% of their brain has already formed. These early years of life are therefore essential for healthy early childhood development. Similar to physical growth, a child's cognitive, social, and emotional milestones signify significant advancements in their development.
Parents must nurture, communicate with, and support their children, especially throughout the first five years of life. Future mental health issues start to manifest when parents don't provide for their child's emotional, physical, and mental needs during these developmental phases. Visit Manipal Hospitals for Paediatric treatment in Goa.
Resources to help the kids development an early age
Supporting children and families begins with recognizing the significance of early relationships and experiences for lifelong development. The resource for assisting children's early development is to apply that understanding to current practices and rules. In order to strengthen this and enhance outcomes for children and families, concrete suggestions for practitioners and policymakers can be offered.
To put young children on the path to greater prosperity and to help nations be more productive and compete more successfully in a rapidly changing global economy, wise investments in their physical, cognitive, linguistic, and socio-emotional development are essential from before birth until they enter primary school.
Investing in high-quality programs that support children's health, nutrition, and early learning can improve learning outcomes and, as a result, adult wages and productivity.
Consultant - Paediatrics
Manipal Hospitals, Goa
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