Appropriate interventions at each stage of child development crucial – Child advocate

Compassion International Ghana (CIGH), a non-governmental organization has held the second edition of the Thriving Child Seminar Series (THriCSS), a quarterly initiative aimed at fostering continuous learning and development among their staff and child advocates, both within the country and beyond.

As it was done during the first edition, the seminar was streamed virtually to make it accessible to and facilitate the involvement of several child advocates in other countries on Monday, November 20, in Madina, Accra.

The maiden edition focused on the policy framework surrounding children, emphasizing both legal aspects and practical applications. However, today’s seminar explored the intricate journey of child development under overarching theme of “Child Development Milestones and Holism.”

Developmental milestones

In a welcome address, National Director of CIGH, Mr. Kobina Yeboah Okyere said recognizing the importance of developmental milestones was fundamental in laying the best foundation for children.

He said the concept of holism underscores that each child is a unique individual with interconnected physical, emotional, social and cognitive dimensions.

“As an organization, our mission is to holistically release children from poverty, extending our programming efforts to cover these four critical areas, along with the caregivers and the broader community,” he said.

Appropriate interventions

Making a presentation via zoom, on life cycle approach in early childhood development, Senior Programme Design Specialist at Compassion International, Tanzania, Dr George Martin Malima said it was key for caregivers to understand that child development involved different stages of development in a child’s life with all stages having specific needs which also needed specific interventions.

Dr Malima mentioned that there were four milestones of child development – pre-natal stage, infancy, toddlerhood stage and preschool stage which all demanded specific and appropriate interventions to ensure proper growth and development.

“All stages of life have specific needs which need specific interventions and it is important to note that one milestone is key to the next so if we fail to provide the appropriate interventions at each stage, the child will be lagging behind,” he said.

“Tailoring specific interventions at each stage is very critical because a challenge at one stage can affect the next stage. As child development implementers, we should be able to provide the necessary needs,” he added.

He also touched on nurturing care framework for children which he said included good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning as well as security and safety for children.

Early childhood education

The Unit Head, Early Childhood Education at Ghana Education Service, Mr Isaac Atta-Baah encouraged participants to ensure that their curriculum for teaching their students aligns with the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Policy being championed by his outfit. 

He noted that a developmentally appropriate curriculum created an opportunity for quality learning experiences that would lay a solid foundation for and enhance the holistic development of children.

Mr Atta-Baah added that the policy goal was aimed at creating an enabling environment that supported planning and management systems to ensure quality, effective and efficient ECE delivery.

“A curriculum that is effectively and efficiently implemented to promote pre-primary children’s holistic development and focused on ensuring effective professional training and deployment of well-informed ECE workforce to manage early childhood education using play-based approaches,” he said. 

“The policy goal aims at directing the development and implementation of a KG curriculum that is participatory, equitable and inclusive and delivered through a play-based pedagogy to promote the holistic development of all KG children,” he added.

He also touched on six action areas needed for early childhood education – Effective Planning and Management, Curriculum Development and Implementation, Competent Teachers and Non-Professional Teachers, Family and Community Engagement, Child-Friendly Safe Space and Environment as well as Monitoring, Regulation and Quality Assurance.

He commended the Compassion International Ghana for organising the seminar for implementers and caregivers to update their knowledge and competencies in the space.