Early Childhood Health and Development
Supporting children and families during the most important years of development
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The challenge
The first years of life are critically important for a child's health, development, and well-being. It is during this period that a child's brain develops most rapidly: by the age of three, the brain reaches approximately 80% of its adult size, and new neural connections are formed at a rate that is never again matched in later years. During this time, children quickly acquire new skills: they learn to move, communicate, play, interact with others, and become more independent.
Sometimes a child's development does not progress as expected for their age. The reasons may vary and can include health conditions, birth complications, congenital conditions, disorders of the nervous system, and other factors. It is important for parents to closely observe their child and seek professional support if they have even the slightest concerns.
Early intervention helps identify such developmental differences as early as possible and provides support to the child and their family when it is most needed.
When a family is raising a child with developmental differences or a disability, additional support is needed not only for the child. Parents may experience increased demands, anxiety, emotional stress, and physical exhaustion. It is important for them to know where to seek help, understand their child's developmental needs, and have access to professional and psychological support.
The solution
Early intervention is a comprehensive support service for children up to three years of age who have a developmental delay or disability, or who are at risk of developing one, and for their families.
In Belarus, early intervention includes the early identification of potential developmental difficulties, assessment of the child's needs, support for their development, and assistance to the family. This approach is enshrined in the legislation of the Republic of Belarus.
The goal of early intervention is not to change a child to fit a predetermined standard, but to provide timely support that helps them develop their abilities, become more independent, and participate in family and community life.
The family is not merely a recipient of services, but an active participant in the support process. Parents and other close caregivers know the child’s daily life, strengths, and challenges best. Their involvement helps ensure that support is more consistent and closely connected to the child’s real-life experiences.
The early intervention (EI) system in Belarus has been developing since 2002. UNICEF joined this work in 2007. Through the efforts of the Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF, a network of early intervention centres has been established across the country, while quality standards, developmental assessment methodologies, and specialist competencies have continued to evolve.
Today, 47 Early Intervention Centres based in polyclinics are operating in Belarus.
The development of the Early Intervention Centres has made support services more accessible, but the demand for services remains significantly higher than current coverage.
According to an assessment conducted with the support of UNICEF, approximately 45,000 young children in Belarus potentially require early intervention services each year.
As part of the Country Programme for 2026–2030, UNICEF continues to work with the Ministry of Health and other national partners to make the system of early identification and early intervention more accessible, effective, and sustainable.
UNICEF currently supports several interconnected areas of early intervention system development.
Identifying Early
The earlier specialists recognize that a child’s development is not progressing as expected for their age, the sooner a family can receive the support they need.
That is why UNICEF supports the development of child development monitoring systems and the training of specialists who are often the first to interact with children and their parents.
A separate area of focus is the early identification of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). UNICEF is supporting the development of an electronic ASD screening tool for children aged 18 to 36 months and its integration into the healthcare system.
Screening helps identify signs that may require further attention, but it does not provide a diagnosis. If screening indicates a possible risk, the child may need a more comprehensive assessment by specialists. This approach helps identify developmental challenges earlier and ensures that families receive timely support.
Making Support More Accessible
Even high-quality services cannot help a child if a family is unable to access them. Special attention is therefore given to children living in rural and other remote areas.
To address this, UNICEF supports the further expansion of the early intervention network (with 15 new early intervention centres planned), remote counselling, and other forms of support that enable families to access services regardless of where they live. Such expansion should be accompanied by workforce development, unified quality standards, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the growth of the system does not compromise the quality of support.
Improving the Quality of Support
The development of the system is not possible without specialists who possess up-to-date knowledge and practical skills.
UNICEF supports the professional development of specialists working in Early Intervention Centres, primary healthcare providers, and other professionals working with children and families.
This includes the training of trainers, specialized professional development courses, and the strengthening of competencies in the early identification of developmental delays, comprehensive assessment of children with ASD and other developmental differences, as well as effective engagement with parents.
To facilitate knowledge exchange and the dissemination of effective practices, early intervention resource centres are also being developed, bringing together specialists from different regions.
Strengthening the Family-Centred Approach
Parents know their child’s daily life better than anyone else.
That is why their involvement is an essential part of early intervention. UNICEF supports approaches in which parents receive not only guidance from specialists but also practical knowledge and skills that enable them to support their child’s development every day, during play, communication, feeding, caregiving, and other everyday activities.
Using Data to Inform Decision-Making
High-quality data helps identify how many children need support, what services are available to families, and where gaps exist.
Therefore, UNICEF, together with national partners, supports the collection, analysis, and use of data about children, including young children and children with disabilities.
A high-quality early intervention system therefore helps strengthen not only a child’s development, but also the family’s ability to provide care, support, and opportunities for participation in community life.