Early childhood

The Issue

A mother and child in Baku, Azerbaijan

THE BEST START IN LIFE FOR EVERY CHILD

The first years of life are the years of greatest potential and greatest risk. The rapid pace of growth and development from birth to the age of eight is never equalled in later life.

The quality of health care, early relationships and opportunities for learning during this time will have a fundamental impact on the child's journey to adulthood.

If every child had the best start in life, it would be possible to save the 250,000 children aged 0-3 in our region who die each year as a result of preventable disease and malnutrition. Millions more would be protected from physical or mental disability. A safe, nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment, good health and proper nutrition would help to protect every child from such threats as poverty, HIV/AIDS and iodine deficiency. Investment in the early years yields high returns, improving school performance, and eventually productivity and income. The costs are negligible when compared to the enormous benefits.

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