MODULE 1 FACILITATORS GUIDE

UNDERSTANDING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

SUMMARY
The focus of this module is on helping participants understand UNICEFs rights-based
approach to early childhood development within the MTSP, with particular emphasis on
Focus Area 1: Early childhood (Key Result Area 2); Focus Area 2: Basic education and
gender equality (Key Result Areas 1 & 4); and Focus Area 4: Child protection from
violence, exploitation and abuse (Key Result Area 5).
Why focus on early childhood development?
UNICEFs focus on early childhood development is based on the rationale that a
good start to life is the foundation for ensuring childrens rights. Through a focus on
early childhood development, UNICEF will help achieve the Millennium Development
Goals, in particular, goals related to reducing child mortality, improving maternal health,
promoting gender equality and empowering women, achieving universal primary
education, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and developing and
implementing national early childhood policies and programmes. Achieving these goals
will result in poverty reduction.
The focus on early childhood development is based on the evidence that early
childhood is a critical window of opportunity in human development to influence health,
learning and productivity throughout life. In the earliest years of childhood, survival,
growth and development are interlinked; growth affects both chances of survival and the
childs development, and all three are influenced by family care practices, resources and
access to services. Therefore, efforts to improve health, nutrition, clean water, sanitation,
child development and learning, early learning and child protection are mutually
reinforcing.
A focus on early childhood development ensures that the child and family are at the
centre. A holistic approach to early childhood focuses on the child and her/his familys
needs and rights, rather than on one particular problem or one programme. Meeting
childrens mutually interdependent needs for survival, growth and development dictates
the harmonisation of early childhood policies and programming.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module, participants should be able to:
Describe UNICEFs approach to early childhood development in terms of
childrens rights
Explain the rationale for placing the young child (maternal reproductive health
and environment to age 8) at the centre of a rights-based approach to early
childhood development
Describe how a focus on young children and their families supports the work of
each sector and the kind of cooperation that can be drawn on to achieve sector
goals
Explain how a focus on early childhood development contributes to achievement
of objectives within the MTSP 2006-2009

PURPOSE
1.1 A Rights Perspective on Early Childhood Development
To provide participants with a basic understanding of what early childhood development
means in terms of rights-based programming.
1.2 The MTSP and the Importance of Early Childhood Development in the
Achievement of Key Results
To provide participants with an understanding of the ways in which programming for
young children and their families contributes to achievement of organisational targets
within the MTSP 2006-2009 focus areas.
1.3 Child Protection and Early Childhood Development
To provide participants with an understanding of UNICEFs focus on child protection
and what that means for infants and young children.
1.4 The Right of Young Children to a Safe and Healthy Environment
To help participants understand the importance of the childs environment in supporting
all aspects of the childs survival, growth and development.
1.5 Birth Registration as a Support for Early Childhood Development
To understand birth registration as a childs right and gain exposure to possibilities for
integrating birth registration with health and other early childhood development
activities.
1.6 The Life Cycle Approach to Early Childhood Development
To understand the place of early childhood within the life cycle of each individual,
understanding the continuity of life and that each stage impacts the next.
1.7 Areas of Cooperation to Support Young Childrens Development
To define the areas of cooperation that will lead to the achievement of goals within the
MTSP 2006-2009 locally, nationally and internationally.