An Operational Approach to Early Stimulation of Young Children: Field Notes

1. An Operational Approach to Early Stimulation of Young Children: Field Notes

2. 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

3. : Why Stimulation? • 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

4. Context • 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

5. Geography operational districts / blocks Target Population: • Mothers , Family and Communities; and • Children under 6 with a focus on children under 3 years of age. Reach : • Districts- 2 • ICDS Blocks- 16 • Total AWC- 200 • 0 to 3 years children- 7856 • 3 to 6 years children- 6556 • Total Population- 1,40737

6. Framework • Competent and identify needs/challenges Inclusive and supportive Provision of resources Accountable and appreciates needs of the child

7. Features of An Operational Approach • Vision Building of community and family • Empowering system functionaries • Provision of engaging learning materials Nonnegotiable are construction of an identify, address gender relations and ensure good governance

8. 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

9. 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 delayin children, if any Children younger than 3 years visited every month

10. Community meetings • To have supportive structure and relation around the child • To build larger accountability measures Periodic meetings and discussion on focused theme

11. 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

12. C. Engaging Learning Materials • Family • Visual Guide KhiletePhool -booklets on Disability, Importance of toy and a selection of lories • PICTORIAL BOOK • Community • A set of posters • System Functionaries • Curriculum, activity bank and early stimulation kit- Different material for different stakeholder

13. 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 mother Visual and illustrative

14. Illustrative examples of age specific characteristics of the child and specific stimulation needs Identify areas of support to be provided by caregivers

15. ECD POSTERS Within Child Development framework – Engagement of parents, disability, rights, ECE, etc

16. Impact Children,Family/Caregivers, Community and field functionaries

17. Children: Emerging results Almost all parents reported to observe change in their children Young Children 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 Older 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

18. Testimonies A mother from Torkapali village of Gobara sector mentioned 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. 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

19. Caregivers: Key learning • 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

20. 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

21. Effective use of surrounding to stimulate the child • Other Changes • Emphasis on daily cleanliness and maintaining personal hygiene • Regular vaccination of young children

22. Triggering Innovations • Establishment of “Jhoomar Bank” • Toy Making from waste material

23. 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