Early childhood development
All children aged 0-5 years are progressively cared for through quality ECD services and in protective and nurturing family environments
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The Challenges
Early childhood – the first months and years of life – is the most important period of development in a child’s life. It is a time of rapid brain, language, social, emotional, sensory and motor development. It is when the foundation for that development and for lifelong learning is set. With this one-time-only window of opportunity, early childhood development and investment must be a priority for every family and the country.
34% of fathers engage in four or more activities that promote learning
15% of children aged 3-5 years are not attending an early childhood education programme
59% of children younger than 5 years do not have at least three books at home
In Thailand, many children lack appropriate care and stimulation. A large number of parents, especially fathers, do not engage in learning activities with their young children. Access to children’s books – which is crucial for the child’s learning and imagination – is limited, especially in poor households. Although participation in early childhood education makes a huge difference in a child’s development, around 15 per cent of children aged 3-5 years are not attending an early childhood education programme. For those who do receive early learning experiences, they are often not receiving the quality services that would allow them to reach their full potential.
The Solutions
UNICEF Thailand worked with policy makers across the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Interior and within the National Early Childhood Development Committee on developing the National Early Childhood Development Plan. This included advocacy on nutrition, parenting, the quality of services and skills of early childhood development (ECD) professionals using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data to ensure an equity focus and specific indicators tracking access to services for disadvantaged children, including children with disabilities, migrant children and children from poor families. UNICEF provided technical support for coordinating inputs from relevant ministries.
UNICEF Thailand worked with provincial policymakers to help them better understand children’s issues as well as the science of child development and supported the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to set ECD priorities within the next five years, drawing upon the national strategy and MICS data for Bangkok.
UNICEF Thailand continued advocacy for legislation related to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 2017, including coordinating an event to show public support for the law and advocating with the law review committee members. Following the passage of the Control of Marketing of Infant and Young Child Food Act in April 2017, UNICEF continued to promote the benefits of breastfeeding through advocacy, communication and technical support to the Ministry of Public Health for the development of the Ministerial Notification to give effect to the law.
UNICEF Thailand continued to advance the Breastfeeding in Workplace initiative, including the development of a database of participating employers. Support was provided to the Ministry of Public Health and other stakeholders to produce an advocacy package that targets the business sector to promote breastfeeding.