Shillong, May 10: Recognizing the importance of parental involvement and the role of frontline functionaries have in disseminating the training and knowledge within communities, Meghalaya Early Childhood Development (ECD) Mission, in collaboration with Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram.
The Aarambh project and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Maharashtra successfully wrapped up its comprehensive training program, signifying the conclusion of Module 2 for Key Trainers on the “Importance of Early Years”.
The Key Trainers are Block and Cluster level officials from collaborating departments working on ECD interventions namely, Social Welfare Department, Health and Family Welfare and Community and Rural Development. The training commenced on May 7th, 2024 and concluded on 10th May, 2024. There were simultaneous sessions running parallelly for the different departments with joint sessions on the first day.
The objective of the training program is to strengthen and build the capacity of the department officials with emphasis on how they can take forth the training to their peers and field level workers. The training was activity based and experiential in nature and took a very hands-on approach to help participants grasp concepts on ECD.
Following this training module, the Key Trainers are expected to disseminate their knowledge by training to ensure that all Supervisory staff are proficient in training Frontline Workers (FLWs) within their respective departments and districts. These trainers were selected from the first 15 blocks from different districts who were identified during the Phase 1 of the Meghalaya ECD Mission project rollout.
The first two days of the Module 2 training saw veteran neonatologist Dr. Simin F. Irani, founder member of the National Neonatology Forum & Senior Advisor and Consultant, UNICEF, conducting special sessions on “Why ECD?” and “Developmental Milestones in the Womb.”
She also engaged with the District Early Intervention Center (DEIC) staff to support the state in identifying existing gaps. Covering different aspects of early childhood development, ranging from recognizing developmental milestones to understanding cognitive, language, social, and emotional domains. Dr. Irani also emphasized a holistic approach, stating, ” The ages of 0-2 years is crucial for intervention, encompassing physical, psychosocial, and emotional growth.”
Discussing development phases, she also spoke on how the preschool period is pivotal for holistic development as this is the period where children are the most inquisitive; it is during this stage where emphasis needs to be put on learning through play.
Dr. Irani views development as an interaction between biology and the environment, including parental and community influences. “The brain starts developing in the first trimester,” she points out.
Her thought-provoking questions prompted attendees to reflect on the challenges and opportunities in child development. Dr. Irani’s presentation also highlighted a sobering statistic that says, “over 250 million children worldwide have yet to reach their full potential, with 40-42% in India facing similar setbacks’’.
The session was also attended by Development Commissioner & Principal Secretary Mr. Sampath Kumar, IAS, Government of Meghalaya. Mr. Kumar emphasized the critical significance of such training initiatives, emphasizing that it is imperative for children to attain their maximum potential through early interventions like the ECD mission.
He also mentioned the need for enhanced training for AYUSH practitioners in Meghalaya, suggesting a dedicated program for Community Health Officers (CHOs) lasting approximately six months. He further proposed initiating in-service training for Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) Medical Officers to enhance their capacity.
Mr. Kumar stressed, “There’s a pressing need to develop software that can predict health issues and effectively address them. Additionally, we must address birth registration challenges by including home births in the registration process.” He also recommended a policy shift towards focusing on perinatal mortality as a benchmark to better understand maternal health and enable timely interventions, such as providing folic acid supplements.
An interactive breakout session further enhanced learning, focusing on the roles and responsibilities of trainers, engaging group activities, and crafting effective training plans. Participants also gained invaluable knowledge from discussions on the Importance of Early Years to the domains of Development including the Brain wiring game, and insights from the Jamaican Study.
The study further evaluates the long-term benefits of early psychosocial stimulation and nutritional supplements for children who are stunted between the ages of 9 months and 24 months. The longitudinal Jamaican Study for Early Child Development reaffirmed the profound impact of early stimulation interventions.
It revealed that children who received these interventions not only demonstrated higher IQ scores and better academic performance but also exhibited fewer behavioral problems. This emphasizes the enduring benefits of investing in early childhood development programs, underscoring their significance in shaping long-term outcomes.
On the 2nd and 3rd day, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) & Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), alongside trainees, conducted home visits and parents meeting to demonstrate and promote best practices, joined by MOs, CDPOs, Nursing tutors, Lady Supervisors (ICDS), alongwith the Aarambh team in Mawdiangdiang, Mawkasiang, Saisiej, and Umroh.
These gatherings addressed the specific needs of children across various age groups, including pregnant mothers, adolescents, infants aged 6 months to 2 years plus adolescents, toddlers aged 2 to 4 years plus adolescents, and preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years plus adolescents. Additionally, the importance of utilizing Mother and Child Protection (MCP) cards as readily accessible Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials was emphasized.
Encouraging parents and caregivers to incorporate them into their daily routines at home, training topics also delved upon the significance of early years, responsive feeding and caregiving, conducting effective home visits, and organizing parent meetings.
