An Overview of Early

Childhood Development in
Pakistan
Dr. Sumera Kanwal
NCBA&E Sub-Campus Bahawalpur
Why Early Childhood Development is
Critical?
• Holistic(Whole) development:
 Cognitive
 Physical
 Emotional
 Social
• During the first 1000days, children’s brain can form 700 to
1,000 neural connections every second which are the
building blocks of their future.
Understanding the Development of ECE
• Understanding the development of Early Childhood
Education (ECE) involves:
 exploring its historical roots
 key principles
 contemporary trends
• Here are several aspects to consider when examining
the development of ECE
 Historical Evolution
•Origins: The roots of ECE can be traced back to the 18th and 19th
centuries
•Johann Pestalozzi
•Friedrich Froebel
•The kindergarten movement
 Historical Evolution
•Progression: Over the years, ECE has evolved in response to:
•societal changes
•educational philosophies
•research findings
•Montessori Method
•Piaget's cognitive development theory
• Vygotsky's sociocultural theory
 The First 1,000 Days of Life
• The first 1000 days beginning at the time of conception on to a baby’s
second birthday
• Pregnancy= 270 days
• Year 1=365 Days
• Year 2 365 days
• Year 3 = 365 days
• Total 100 days
 Brain Development
• Born with 100 billion brain cells
• All the neurons have the same
genetic potential
• Our brain is Sensitive and
Reactive
• Signals can be sent to other cells
at speeds of more than 200 mph
• 75% of brain development
occurs by age 1 and 90% by age
3
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The Plasticity of Brain Architecture
Decreases over Time
• The neuroplasticity formed at the early age underlies a child’s
physical and mental health:
 life long capacity to learn
 adapt to change and develop psychological resilience
• Brain has more plasticity in early years
• Accommodates a wide range of environments and interaction
• Early Plasticity makes the brain both more vulnerable to
harm and more capable of recovery
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Critical Point of Intervention
• Window of Opportunity
• At birth, 25%

• At age 1, 75%
•
At age 3, 90%
 Human Brain Development
Example of sensitive periods:

• Basic vision and hearing which develop first;

• Early language skills and higher cognitive functions which develop

later
 Reach Developmental Potential

• NURTURING CARE:
• Health
• Nutrition
• Security & Safety
• Responsive Caregiving
• Early Learning
• Enabling Environment for Caregiver, Family, Community
• Social, Economic, Political, Climatic, Cultural Contexts
Early Childhood Stress Influences Brain
Development

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Neglect Impedes Brain Development
• Limited exposure to language, touch or social
interactions
• Emotional or cognitive neglect
• Physical Threat
• Early, frequent and intense threat
• Structural Changes

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 ‘Serve and Return’ Relationship
• The interactive influences of genes and experience shape the
developing brain;
 genes provide the blue print for brain development
 environment shapes it
• Brain development occurs through the brain’s active engagement in
everyday experience
• Major ingredient in the developmental process is the ‘Serve and
Return’ interactions

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A compelling investment
Children who get the right nutrition during the first
1000 days:
• Are 10 times more likely to overcome the most life
threatening child diseases
• Complete 4.6 more grades at school
• Go on to earn 21% more in wages as adults
• Are more likely as adults to have healthier families
SDGs – a unique and significant opportunity
to drive integrated transformation in ECD

• Goal 1: ECD is cost effective

• Goal 2: Stimulation and nutrition
• Goal 3: Healthy lives, long healthy life
• Goal 4: Lifelong learning begins at birth
• Goal 5: Gender equality, greater investment in quality childcare
• Goal 8: Promote decent work, professionalization of caregivers
• Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities
• Goal 11: Safe cities, ECD spaces, natural love for environment
• Goal 16: Peaceful societies
Situation of children – Under 5

In low and middle-income countries

• 43% at risk of not achieving development potential
• 75 million live in areas affected by conflict, exposed
to toxic stress, potentially inhibiting brain cell
connections
 Situation of children – Under 5
• 155 million are stunted, which prevents brain
development
• 25% of 2-4 year olds (in 64 countries) do not have
opportunities essential for brain development such as
playing, reading and singing
• 300 million live in areas with toxic air, which can
damage their developing brains
 ECD: Uncertain Times
Pakistan
• Millions of children risk not meeting developmental potential
• Poverty
• Widespread malnutrition - children and maternal
• Lack of stimulation, exposure to environmental hazards
• 44% of children < 5 years old stunted
• 23.7% net enrollment in pre-primary school
 Many challenges complicate ECD

• Little or no investment in ECD

• Limited progress in addressing basic determinants
• Population growth
• Urban migration
• Natural disasters
• Socio-political instability and conflict
 ECD Programming in Pakistan
• Vision 2025 by Ministry Of Planning & Development
• NHSR&C and DoH:
- MNCH Programme
- Multi-sectoral Nutrition Programme
- Infant Young Child Feeding Strategy(IYCF)
- Expanded Programme on Immunisation
 ECD Programming in Pakistan
• Ministry of Education & Education Departments
- Section on ECE in the National Education Policy 2017
- Revision of Curriculum on ECE in 2017
- Development of books for age 4 -5 based on NC Of
ECCE
- Development of ECE Policy & stratgies in provinces &
alignment of Education Sector Plans with SDGs
 INGOs working on ECD
• UNICEF
• UNESCO
• WHO
• WFP
• World Bank
• DFiD
• USAID
 INGOs working on ECD
• AUSAID
• Save the Children
• Plan International
• Foundation Open Society
• European Commission
• World Learning
• BRAC
NGOs working on ECD
• RUPANI FOUNDATION
• Aga Khan Development Network(AKDN)
• RSPN
• Idar-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi
• PARWAAN
• Right to Play
• HANDS
• Society
• Sindh Education Foundation
• Teachers’ Resource Center(TRC)
• HASHOO FOUNDATION
• BUNYAAD
• Individual Initiatives
Academia
• Universities
• Education Colleges
• Private Training Institutions
• Research Centers
• Private School System
 Questions for Students

• How do we help children to develop their potential in their diverse cultures and
contexts?
• How do we help to prepare 21st century children for a safe and harmonious
planet in a dynamic, pluralistic, technological world?
• How do we help children to have the ability to handle complex information, be
flexible, adaptable, problem-solvers, creative and critical thinkers?
• How do we nurture children to put themselves in another person’s shoes?
 A nation is only as good as its
children – let us invest in our future
by investing in Early Child
Development

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