Play-based learning is, in essence, learning through play. This pedagogical approach during early childhood stimulates physical, social, emotional and cognitive development. Play improves brain structure and promotes executive function, enabling children to pursue goals and increase their ability to concentrate. On International Day of Play, we highlight the importance of … [Read more...] about International Day of Play: What Is Play-Based Learning, and How Can We Promote It with Innovation?
Early stimulation
The tender hour: skin-to-skin contact provides the best start to life
Imagine arriving at an unknown place, a strange planet, alone, with no familiar voice and no one to guide you. At that critical moment, your survival would be at stake. But this is how a baby’s life begins outside the mother's womb. The newborn experiences an unknown external world for the first time, and that’s why his or her basic need for skin-to-skin contact with the mother … [Read more...] about The tender hour: skin-to-skin contact provides the best start to life
Why we can’t afford to let early childhood education fall through the COVID-19 cracks
This post originally appeared on UNICEF Connect’s Evidence for Action blog on 22 July 2021 A few weeks ago, after his last day at kindergarten, my son wanted to show me his portfolio. Marveling at the delightful collection of drawings, crafts, photos and teacher notes, I couldn’t believe how lucky we are that he got to experience a full year of kindergarten, in spite of … [Read more...] about Why we can’t afford to let early childhood education fall through the COVID-19 cracks
3 emerging lessons on Early Care and Education Systems from the COVID-19 pandemic
“Good afternoon: (…) greetings from the Trinidad Association of Community Homes. Personally, I have really enjoyed these spaces, they have allowed me to get away a little from the concerns of the situation (COVID-19), additionally enrich my practice, allowing me to grow and reaffirm many of my ideas about early childhood”. Beatriz, Santa Rosa de Cabal, Risaralda, … [Read more...] about 3 emerging lessons on Early Care and Education Systems from the COVID-19 pandemic
A Year in the Life of an American Family during the Pandemic (part II)
Two weeks ago, we shared part I of this two-part series and described the findings of our study. We looked back at three overarching findings from the first year of the RAPID-EC national survey, which includes 10,707 families across all 50 states of the United States. The three findings focused on material hardships, racial inequalities, and households with children with … [Read more...] about A Year in the Life of an American Family during the Pandemic (part II)