An Operational Approach to Early Stimulation of Young Children: Field

Notes

What is Stimulation?

Any engagement/activity that aims to build positive self image in a child and equip her with necessary tools

Development of sensory organs of the children: techniques will vary with age

• To build foundation of life for a child– Most marginalized children not having enough stimulus in early

years– Leads to poor child development and damage at times is

nonreversible• To address the cycle of poverty and deprivation

– At later stage, children become self confident, have an identity and vision for self and others

• To address whole of the child

 

Why Stimulation?:

• Early Childhood Development Initiative based on 5&5 model approach operational in Chhattisgarh, that focus upon

– Dalit Children– Tribal Children

0- 3 years old children and their caregivers

Context

Mothers , Family and Communities; and

Children under 6 with a focus on children under 3 years of age.

Target Population:

Districts- 2ICDS Blocks- 16Total AWC- 2000 to 3 years children- 78563 to 6 years children- 6556

Total Population- 1,40737

Reach :

Geography operational districts /

blocks

Framework

Child

Family

Community

Environment

System

Inclusive and supportive

Provision of resources

Accountable and appreciates needs

of the child

• Competent and identify

needs/challenges

A. Vision Building of community and familyB. Empowering system functionariesC. Provision of engaging learning materials

Nonnegotiable are construction of an identify, address gender relations and ensure good governance

Features of An Operational Approach

A. Reflective Forums

Monthly Meeting with mothers/ caregivers – Locally relevant Content:

balance of knowledge and skill development with framework of empowerment

– Reflective Techniques: discussion, brain storming, debating through quiz, puzzles, to relearn and learn on issue like gender relations

Home Visit Onsite counseling of mother to promote

appropriate care and engagement

– Care of young child and mothers– Reinforcement of appropriate stimulation

messages/techniques– Identification of development delay in

children, if any

Children younger than 3 years visited every month

Community meetings

• To have supportive structure and relation around the child

• To build larger accountability measures

Periodic meetings and discussion on focused theme

B. Empowering System Functionaries:

Aim: To build vision about self and child; and to develop their skills to engage with community , family and children

• 12 days residential training

• Monthly sector meeting

C. Engaging Learning Materials

1. Family• Visual Guide Khilete Phool -booklets on

Disability, Importance of toy and a selection of lories

• PICTORIAL BOOK2. Community

• A set of posters3. System Functionaries

• Curriculum, activity bank and early stimulation kit-Different material for different stakeholder

Age specific, address gender norms; break myths and stereotypes, address developmental delay, integrated messages, illustrative

Key messages for pre and post natal care for mother and child-breaking myths and misconception – child and motherVisual and illustrative

Illustrative examples of age specific characteristics of the child and specific stimulation needs

Identify areas of support to be provided by caregivers

ECD POSTERS

Within Child Development framework – Engagement of parents, disability, rights, ECE, etc

CHILDREN,FAMILY/CAREGIVERS, COMMUNITY AND FIELD FUNCTIONARIES

Impact

Young Children

–Motor : Better balance

–Social-emotional–More confident–Appear more active• Engage with others

– language•Try to speak on various things•Respond

–Health–Have better health- frequency of illness•Better Appetite

– Clean and follow hygiene

– Social: Come to centre regularly, active participation in activities and breaking inhibitions

• Language/Cognition: • Demand more and new

activities• Talk confidently with

others

Children: Emerging results

Older Children

Almost all parents reported to observe change in their children

TestimoniesA mother from Torkapali village of Gobara sector mentioned

My 9 month daughter “ Bindiya’ is learning to walk now and responds and utter few words. She is agile.

I sing loris and play with her regularly and I have made toys for her

Priti Singh, aaganwadi worker of Charpara,Sivani says Most parents in my

village now interact with children a lot ; and sing a lori/song to the child at the of massaging, feeding. Mothers are making ‘rattle’ and ‘colorful’ toys for younger one.

• Majority of caregivers attend monthly forum and learnt following– About children Education, development and right– Care of children (time, quantity, quality and techniques )– Immunization– Techniques of Stimulation.(To make Hanging Toys, sing rhymes,

painting)– Sensitivity towards children– Play(Make and Use Toys)– Cleanliness and Hygiene

• 88 percent of caregivers find materials and techniques effective

Caregivers: Key learning

Changes in practices at Home

Increased interest in learning and play of children More child and adult engagement – simple

conversation on things around, daily story and lori etc,

Stimulation practices integrated in Nutrition and Care

Promotion of stimulating practices like tickling, lori singing, massages to children, using hanging toys, making new toys for children

• Effective use of surrounding to stimulate the child

Other Changes Emphasis on daily cleanliness and maintaining

personal hygiene Regular vaccination of young children

Triggering Innovations

• Establishment of “Jhoomar Bank”

• Toy Making from waste material

Key Lesson Learnt

• Address interrelationships of community, family and system

• Build vision of stakeholders not just skills• Have forums that have accountability

measures and responsive in nature• Empowering and contextual curriculum for

functionaries – having long term vision; tools and techniques

and material