Early Childhood Development
The Problem
According to UNICEF, Early Childhood Development (ECD) is the key to a full and productive life for a child. In fact, in the first years of life, children establish the cognitive, emotional and social foundation upon which they can build their futures. Sadly, country-wide estimates indicate that only 10% of children in Sierra Leone are enrolled in pre-primary school or nursery programs. Pre-school programs are undervalued by parents and unavailable in most low-resource communities, and at-home preparation for entrance into primary school is rare. As a result, a large number of children lack essential school readiness skills upon entering primary school, limiting their ability to reach their full potential.
WHI's Solution
World Hope International (WHI) is working with UNICEF, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Bombali District Council on an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Pilot Project to bring community-run early learning centers to vulnerable communities in northern Sierra Leone. ECD Centers are housed in refurbished community structures and provide free early learning activities for children under six, led by trained members of the local community. Each ECD center has a management committee to ensure the centers are maintained and well run. The project is also partnering with WHI's Mother Support Groups and community theater groups to educate parents and caregivers about appropriate parenting behaviors that promote healthy child development. By the end of the proposed 3-year project, WHI aims to have ECD programs available for vulnerable children in 44 communities in Sierra Leone.
The Impact
The goal of the early childhood development project is for 10,000 children under five-years-old to participate in early stimulation or early learning activities at specialized community centers and through home visits. WHI also intends to educate 2,000 caregivers of child under five about early childhood development and good child reading skills.
By engaging in positive, nurturing interactions with their caregivers, infants and toddlers are developing sensory-motor, cognitive, language, social and emotional skills, while older children engage in developmental play. Caregivers are also engaging in workshops to make toys out of local and recycled materials. In each target community, volunteer ECD workers, Mother Support Groups and ECD Management Committees are gaining the knowledge and skills they need to lead and monitor ECD activities both now and in the future.