The Convention on the Rights of the Child, a global commitment to protect and promote children's healthy development and fulfillment of their potential, was adopted 35 years ago. On this World Children’s Day, during the event Challenging Inequalities: How to Close Gaps in Early Childhood Development, we asked ourselves: Have we lived up to this commitment? What challenges do … [Read more...] about Closing Gaps in Early Childhood Development: A Renewed Commitment
Early Education
Shaping the Future of Childhood: Two Key Pillars to Improve Child Development in Ecuador
"My son came here unable to speak. He wouldn't talk, he wouldn't share. He went through a total change. He is an open, cheerful, fun child today," Alexandra tells us excitedly. She is one of the mothers who takes her son to the Child Development Center (CDI) in Ibarra, Ecuador, every morning. It is a free service that is a great help for her son's upbringing and … [Read more...] about Shaping the Future of Childhood: Two Key Pillars to Improve Child Development in Ecuador
Ecuador and Its Adaptation Strategy to Care for the Youngest During Times of Crisis
In order to care for the most vulnerable people in times of crisis, social protection systems need to be adaptive and resilient –– that is, they need to be able to adjust and respond flexibly and efficiently to different emergency scenarios. At the Regional Policy Dialogue, we met with policy and decision-makers from Latin America and the Caribbean to review and discuss best … [Read more...] about Ecuador and Its Adaptation Strategy to Care for the Youngest During Times of Crisis
4 Keys to Designing a Mentoring Program for Early Childhood: Lessons Learned from the Luciérnaga Program
We know that investing in childcare is key to the future. But, when it comes to early childhood services, it is not only a matter of investing in coverage, infrastructure, equipment or the pedagogical model: it is also necessary to invest in the quality of interactions - that is, in interactions that are warm, rich in language and responsive to the child's needs and interests. … [Read more...] about 4 Keys to Designing a Mentoring Program for Early Childhood: Lessons Learned from the Luciérnaga Program
Unequal From the Beginning (…and for Quite Some Time): A Longitudinal Study of Socioeconomic Gaps in Early Childhood in 5 Latin American Countries
The first five years of life are a unique window of opportunity: extensive research confirms the lasting effect of investments during this period on later economic success and well-being, including labor market earnings and risky behaviors in adulthood. This is why early childhood development (ECD) policies have an unparalleled rate of effectiveness to strengthen human capital … [Read more...] about Unequal From the Beginning (…and for Quite Some Time): A Longitudinal Study of Socioeconomic Gaps in Early Childhood in 5 Latin American Countries