Why Cuba is leading the way on early childhood development

[Marcus IM]

Why Cuba is leading the way on early childhood development

But it’s not just the Cuban government which has stepped up – families are also a major reason why young children are being so well supported.

Richard Paterson, Cuba director for the international charity CARE, said the government has made health and education national priorities.

“The low infant mortality rate is clear evidence of the attention the authorities have put on health and early child development in particular,” he said.

“CARE does not programme specifically in ECD. But through our work and interactions with various local counterparts, with rural and urban families and with authorities at different levels, we have been able to appreciate the commitment and the reach of programmes such as the Casas de Abuelos and the Circulos Infantiles (early childhood development) and others.

“Clearly the government puts a high priority on child development, starting even at the pre-natal stage when pregnant mothers are visited at their homes on a weekly basis. In some instances, even more frequently.”

A UNICEF publication last year documented the Cuban ECD system’s implementation strategies and most significant results.

The report Early Childhood Development in Cuba (pdf: https://www.unicef.org/cuba/cu_resources_earlychildhooddevelopmentlibro.pdf ) said: “Family is the centrepiece of the Cuban system. Cuba strives to equip families with the necessary skills and knowledge to create stimulating, caring and safe home environments.

“Day care centres involve families through monthly group activities, while family doctors provide information on appropriate nutrition and preventing injuries in the home.

“Families are seen as embedded in communities, which share responsibility for children alongside state service providers.”

Much more ...
https://theirworld.org/news/why-cuba-is-leading-way-on-early-childhood-development/