Physical, emotional cares stressed for children’s brain dev

Speakers at a seminar on Sunday emphasised the support of physical and emotional cares for critical intelligence and brain development of children.

They said this at the orientation seminar and exhibition for proper execution of 'early childhood care and development at BDS auditorium in Barisal city.

Society for People's Education, Empowerment and Development Trust in collaboration with Gana Shakkharata Ovijan (Mass Literacy Movement) organised the programme.

About 50 people including primary education directorate officials, teachers, guardians, mass literacy programme activists, local government representatives and journalists participated in the programme.

AHM Shamsul Islam Dipu, head of mission, SPEED Trust Barisal, presided over the programme attended by Dr Nani Gopal Das, principal of Government Brajamohan College as chief guest.

SM Faruk, deputy director, primary education, Alpana Barua, Jiban Krishna Dey, Faizun Nahar Shelly, Jhumu Karmakar and others also addressed the programme.

Shuvangkar Chakrabarty, child rights activist, presented keynotes on the topic and Pankaj Roy Chowdhury, district children affairs officer, conducted the programme.

The speakers informed that a child's learning begins at birth irrespective of his/her circumstances. The opportunities provided to children in the early years are crucial in determining their development.

Critical intelligence and brain development occurs before the age of seven, particularly during the first three years of life, they observed.

Cognitive development is influenced by a child's nutritional and health status and also by the way a child interact with people and objects in the environment.

Child's brain development is highly dependent on adequate nutrition, stimulation, and optimal care and this process has been encouraged by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, they added.

Once developed, the brain is much harder to modify and it is clear that adequate attention to the first months and years, including pre-natal, of a child's life ensures the best possible start for future life, they observed.

ECCD emphasises integrating health, nutrition and intellectual stimulation, providing opportunities for exploration and active learning as well as providing the social and emotional care and nurturing to a child.

A baby needs all of the supports in order to realise her/his human potential and play an active role in their families and later in their communities as good citizens, they informed.

However, the participants detected economic insolvency, river erosion, engaging children in family and financial activities as the main obstacles in implementing ECCD programmes in the region.

Source : New Age