Providing adequate support to children in their early age help accelerate their development process in terms of health, cognitive, and social skills. In this post, we have delved into the significance of early child development.
Many children across the world are unable to reach their full potential due to the lack of support at an early age.
Some of the main reasons are low-income families, lack of facilities, geographic location, disability, religious orientation, etc. Due to this, particularly in underprivileged countries, many children do not get adequate nutrition, healthcare, and education opportunities.
According to a report by UNICEF, globally more than 200 million children do not reach their full potential. It results in an estimated 20 percent loss in adult productivity in their respective countries.
Besides, UNICEF further outlines the significance of early child development:
The brain development process of children begins at their early age. A lack of support and nurture can seriously affect child development.
Interventions at an early age result in the survival and development of underprivileged children in terms of health, growth process, and social and cognitive development.
If children receive support at their early age, they tend to achieve more success at school. Besides, after becoming adults, they get better employment and earnings, improved health, and reduced dependence on welfare.
The cost-benefit ratios of early child development may return 4 to 5 times on average against the amount invested.
These facts indicate the importance of child development in the early years. Such a phase provides great opportunities as well as make children vulnerable to negative influences.
The Takeaway
A focus on early childhood development paves the way to children’s better future. Good nutrition, health, care, and education in the early years are the foundations of a child’s life.
Various studies show that proper educational opportunities in early childhood develop various skills among children, such as academic, social, and behavioral skills, which remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Early nurturing helps children to cope with separation from parents, cooperation, and team work.
Efforts to improve early child development are a crucial investment. Our main objective is to help disadvantaged children since it is their human right to survive and develop for a fulfilling life.