There is increasing evidence about the relationship between the quality of early childhood services and child development, and that process quality or adult-child interactions is the aspect that matters the most. Process quality depends on the skills and preparation of those working directly with young children and families: the early childhood (EC) workforce. This almost … [Read more...] about Let’s Support Those who Care for our Children
Marta Dormal
Marta Dormal is a consultant on Early Childhood Development (ECD) in the Social Protection and Health Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Her work focuses on ECD service quality measurement and improvement. Before joining the IDB, she worked in microfinance in Peru (2009-11), impact evaluations with J-PAL/IPA in Uganda (2012), and at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Djibouti through the UK Department for International Development (ODI Fellowship Scheme 2013-15). She has a Master’s in Economics from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
Three Contributions to Childcare Quality Research
Childcare services are all about quality. We have discussed this idea many times in this blog. … [Read more...] about Three Contributions to Childcare Quality Research
Are We Paying Attention to Children’s Emotional Development?
Scientific evidence shows that the seeds for emotional development are planted in the first years of life and provide the foundation for social functioning. What is our role in nurturing this development? How can we support children in becoming socially competent adults who care about others and society? … [Read more...] about Are We Paying Attention to Children’s Emotional Development?
Are Your Children Getting Quality Childcare Services?
The moment you pick up your children from the daycare center represents a window of opportunity to learn about how they spent their day without you. You can eagerly (and sometimes somewhat anxiously) ask the caregiver: Did my daughter drink her milk today? Did she take a nap after lunch? Did she quarrel with any of her classmates? … [Read more...] about Are Your Children Getting Quality Childcare Services?
Put on Your Oxygen Mask First: How Self-compassion Improves Child Development
I am often told by my colleagues and friends that I am too harsh on myself and that I should have more self-compassion. I used to be quite unfamiliar with this concept. Self-compassion? Isn’t this a term people use to find excuses for themselves and be self-indulgent? … [Read more...] about Put on Your Oxygen Mask First: How Self-compassion Improves Child Development