Growing Together: UNICEF's Early Childhood Development centre’s impact in Bayanzurkh District

A story of change unfolds through the eyes of Khatantuul Ganbat, a 36-year-old mother of five and former teacher who moved to Ulaanbaatar city from Bulgan province Khangal soum, which is 400 kilometres away. Khatantuul faced difficulties in her life, managing the demands of raising her five children, whilst navigating the complexities of daily life. Uncertain about the most effective ways to support her growing family, she was transformed through her participation in an initiative introduced by UNICEF Mongolia — the Early Childhood Development (ECD) centre. The ECD centre is a resource hub for parents and caregivers, offering a library of books, toys, and materials for children's development. It conducts workshops on child development and provides a safe space for children to participate in activities that foster their growth.

Khatantuul’s journey with the ECD centre in Bayanzurkh district’s 17th khoroo started as a way of getting help. With a total population of 8,400 people living in a ger [1] in this area, including 1,006 children aged 0-5, UNICEF Mongolia recognised the need to address children's developmental needs. The ECD centre became a safe place for Khatantuul, where parents could talk, share stories, and learn together. She found a room full of books and toys for her kids and classes on parenting that showed her new ways to take care of her family.

"Leaving no one behind is our priority. It's crucial to reach out to those who might not usually get help, ensuring that everyone can access the valuable resources the ECD Centre has to offer." - Ulziisaikhan Sereeter, ECD Officer at UNICEF Mongolia.

For Khatantuul, it made a big difference. Through the ECD centre's classes, she learned practical things about being a parent, improving her relationship with her children. The positive changes even went beyond her family, making her children get along better and be more helpful to each other. For example, her kids, who used to play by themselves, now played together and learned how to support each other. They started hugging and saying sorry, demonstrating the positive changes happening at Khatantuul's home. The ECD centre also introduced creative activities, such as teaching her children about the benefits of vegetables. Through these engaging exercises, she discovered clever tricks to encourage her kids to eat more healthily. Additionally, she expressed a strong desire to involve more fathers in the centre's activities, believing that their participation would further enrich the supportive community. She passionately advocated for increasing the number of fathers, emphasising the importance of their role in early childhood development.

"In the six months since we joined the ECD centre, we’ve witnessed not just a transformation in my parenting but a rekindling of joy in playing with my children. Every night has become a shared adventure of laughter and learning," shared Khatantuul and her husband. 

[1] A ger is a traditional Mongolian portable dwelling.

In addition to benefiting her family, the ECD centre played a crucial role in helping Khatantuul build new connections. Since moving to Ulaanbaatar three years ago, Khatantuul, who had given birth to two of her youngest children within one-year, found a sense of comfort in the centre. Actively participating in various training programmes and activities since the centre opened, she connected with other mothers in her classes. Together, they formed a supportive community, establishing a Facebook group to stay connected and assist one another. For instance, one mother who knew how to do yoga took on the role of a guide, teaching others in the group the art of yoga. This exchange of expertise added a dynamic layer to their connections, creating a vibrant atmosphere of mutual support and learning.

Looking back on the changes in her life, Khatantuul credited the ECD centre for much of her newfound confidence. With easy access to the centre's resources and support, she felt more empowered as a parent. This boost in confidence translated into tangible shifts in her parenting style. Now, every night, she actively engages in playtime with her children, employing the valuable lessons she learned at the centre. She and her husband have adopted a more interactive and nurturing approach to parenting, whether it's speaking with their children on the same height level, listening more attentively to their curious questions, or sharing affectionate hugs.

In the end, Khatantuul's story is about getting stronger, learning new things, and finding support in the community. UNICEF Mongolia's ECD centre was like a spark that lit up her life, showing how small things could make a big difference for families.