Early childhood is a crucial period for human development. It is during these initial years—even before birth—that the foundations for lifelong learning, health, and well-being are established. To delve deeper into this topic, we spoke with three experts: Maureen Black, emeritus professor in pediatric psychology at the University of Maryland; Orazio Attanasio, an economics professor at Yale and an expert in social policy evaluation; and Sally Grantham-McGregor, emeritus professor in international child health at University College London and a pioneer in early stimulation interventions.
Each of them shared valuable insights on how to support children in this essential stage, from the fundamental principles of child development to the design of effective interventions.
The Development Process: The Role of Interaction and Environment
As Maureen Black explains, brain development begins at conception and is shaped by a continuous interaction between genetics and the environment. During pregnancy, factors such as maternal nutrition, stress, and exposure to violence can significantly affect the developing brain.
A child’s first 1,000 days—from conception to two years of age—represent a critical window for brain growth and plasticity. During this time, essential neural connections are formed, enabling babies to process sounds, images, and begin interacting with the world around them. That is why care from pregnancy onward is not just important—it is decisive for children’s future development.
Maureen highlights that, regardless of the context in which they grow up, all children need certain key elements for their development. These are grouped under the concept of nurturing care, which includes:
- Nutrition: Proper nourishment that supports physical and cognitive development.
- Health: Access to medical services and environments that promote well-being.
- Early learning: Opportunities to stimulate cognitive development from the first months of life.
- Responsive caregiving: The presence of adults who listen, respond, and actively engage in caregiving.
- Protection and safety: Environments free of violence and threats that could affect children’s well-being.
Evidence-Based Interventions: Lessons from Reach Up
With Sally Grantham-McGregor, we explored her experience in designing “Reach Up”, a program developed in Jamaica in the 1980s and later implemented in other countries. The initiative was based on weekly one-hour home visits to vulnerable children aged nine months to two years. During these visits, the facilitators demonstrated to mothers how to carry out play activities and language games to enhance their children’s development. The results showed substantial increases in their cognitive, language and motor development, which have been sustained into adulthood and have translated into higher educational attainment, better mental health, and increased salaries, among other relevant indicators.
One of the key factors in Reach Up’s success, according to Sally, is the strengthening of the mother-child bond. The program not only fosters child development but also enhances mothers’ self-esteem and parenting skills while promoting personal and professional growth for facilitators in an environment of trust and respect.
Another essential element is its structured curriculum, with activities arranged in increasing difficulty so that each child learns at their own pace. In Sally’s words, “this ensures that learning is challenging but not frustrating.” At the same time, the program maintains the necessary flexibility to adapt to cultural particularities and the specific needs of each family, which, according to Sally, is another key factor in its success.
Scaling with Impact: Quality and Sustainability in Early Childhood Development
Ensuring that an intervention remains effective when scaled up is one of the greatest challenges. For Orazio Attanasio, the key lies in preserving quality and fidelity to the original design: as a program expands, it is essential to maintain the principles that made it successful on a small scale. This requires rigorous monitoring processes and strong training for those implementing the intervention.
Another crucial aspect is community and family ownership. Interventions must generate trust and recognition among beneficiaries, making community participation a key element in the process—especially when selecting facilitators from within the community who have local support. Finally, leveraging existing infrastructure and programs can facilitate scalability by reducing costs and ensuring continuity. Even if these structures are not always ideal, their familiarity within the community presents a significant advantage.
Early childhood development is much more than a series of biological milestones—it is a process deeply shaped by human interactions and the environment. The perspectives shared by Maureen, Sally, and Orazio reinforce the importance of investing in programs and interventions that support families during this critical stage. From fostering nurturing care to designing structured activities, these strategies have the power to transform lives and build a more equitable future, starting from the very beginning.
If you want to learn more about what children need to reach their full potential, read Challenging Inequalities: Our Early Childhood Development Sector Framework Document at a Glance.
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