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Early Childhood: First 1000 days in a child’s Life

Early Childhood: First 1000 days in a child’s Life Health, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective. Prof. Dr. Nomana Anjum Allama Iqbal Open University. The First 1000 Days. 1000 Days. Early postnatal / Infancy. Early Childhood. Antenatal. Birth. Conception. Source:

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Early Childhood: First 1000 days in a child’s Life

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  1. Early Childhood: First 1000 days in a child’s Life Health, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective Prof. Dr. Nomana Anjum Allama Iqbal Open University

  2. The First 1000 Days 1000 Days Early postnatal / Infancy Early Childhood Antenatal Birth Conception Source: Linda Aldair 270 + 365 + 365 = 1000

  3. The First 1000 Days: Linked to brain development Nutrition in the first 1000 days The mother’s mental well being Parenting: Quality of relationships / attachment Stimulation in a safe and protected environment The four environmental needs and impact on early childhood development The problem of toxic stress Vulnerability of babies and infants

  4. Nutrition Concerns in first 1000 Days Exclusive breast feeding Complimentary Feeding (right selection of food at right age) Under Nutrition (e. g. Stunting/ Wasting) Mal-Nutrition (e. g. Protein – Calorie, anemia, iodine, Vitamin D, Calcium and Zinc deficiency) Balance Diet (Combining Foods for right balance) Early Childhood: Health, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective

  5. Early Childhood: 1000 days in child’s lifeHealth, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective Health Concerns Neo natal and Postnatal care Vaccination (Immunization coverage and barriers) Breast Feeding Versus Bottle Feeding Sanitation (access to safe drinking water, ending open defecation)

  6. More than Food Optimal development of the brain requires optimal nutrition from conception

  7. Important Micro-Nutrients for the fetus growth Folic Acid Reduces risk of having a baby with neural tube defects Reduces the risk of premature birth Iron Reduces the risk of premature birth and low birth weight Protect from anemia. Zinc Controls Diarrhea, Pneumonia and Malaria after birth Omega 3 Fatty Acids Important for brain development Reduces the incidence of heart disease Calcium and Vitamin D Calcium and vitamin D are needed for strong bones/teeth Vitamin A and Iodine Vitamin A is needed to protect the fetus from immune system problems, blindness, infections, and death

  8. Early Childhood: First 1000 daysHealth, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective Stress and Nutrition Mother’s wellbeing is crucial for child development Stress and Nutrition Impact each other in the First 1000 Days affecting how the brain and body absorb nutrients and influencing the child’s development – both cognitive and physical .

  9. Early Childhood: First 1000 daysHealth, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective • A fetus or baby exposed to toxic stress can distort stress response in later life • Early stress can come from the mother suffering from: • depression or anxiety • bad relationship with partner or exposure to violence and abuse • an external trauma such as bereavement • food insecurity

  10. Early Childhood: First 1000 daysHealth, Nutrition and Environmental Design Perspective Parenting The baby’s social, emotional and cognitive development is affected by the quality of attachment to the caregivers/parents

  11. Parent Relationship Matters most in first 1000 days Babies who have warm, lovingand responsive care in the first few months of their lives, develop empathy, are able to deal with the emotional and social stresses of life, and have the emotional and mental tools to have good relationships with others.

  12. Early Childhood: First 1000 days • Environmental Design Concerns • Four Environmental Needs • An Environment that encourages movement • An Environment that supports comfort • An Environment that fosters Competence • An Environment that encourages a sense of Control

  13. Environmental Design Concerns Infants and babies who are spoken with, played with, and helped to experience the world in a kind and loving way have the mental, social and emotional tools to cope well at school later

  14. Environmental Design Health Concerns A growing body of research has identified significant effects of the physical environment on children’s cognitive and socio emotional development.  toxins pollutants, noise, crowding, chaos, housing, school and daycare centre neighborhood quality

  15. Health Concerns: Toxic Stress Prenatal stress reduces an enzyme which metabolizes cortisol High level of cortisol in the amniotic fluid has a negative effect on infant cognitive development Toxic stress is defined as the excessive or prolonged activation of the physiologic stress response without the buffering protection afforded by stable, responsive relationships.

  16. Health Concerns: Toxic Stress A toxic intra-uterine environment causes pre-natal stress

  17. Health Concerns: Toxic Stress The earliest experiences shape a baby’s brain development and have a lifelong impact on the baby’s mental and emotional health A toxic intra-uterine environment causes pre-natal stress

  18. A fetus or baby exposed to toxic stress can have their responses to stress distorted in later life. Vulnerability of babies and infants • Toxic stress can impact children • Short attention span • Struggle learning: they • fall behind in school • Respond to world as constant • danger • Distrustful of adults • Unable to develop healthy • peer relationships • Feel failure, despair, shame • and frustration

  19. Early Childhood Development Serious concern during first 1000 days! For vulnerable and disadvantaged children Inequity begins during pregnancy and is well established in the first few days and weeks of life. Early Childhood professionals need to focus on this crucial time to close the gap that prevents children from their right to develop fully and thrive. Inter-sectoral action is critical to optimize brain development, overall health and well being.

  20. Early Childhood Development Consequences of Neglect in the First 1000 days of Life "In order to develop normally, a child requires activity with one or more adults who have an irrational emotional relationship with the child. Somebody's got to be crazy about that kid. That's number one. First, last, and always.“ (Urie Bronfenner) Source: Perry and Pollard 1997

  21. Proposed Actions: Watch and encourage parents to do these things with their baby, beginning at birth LOOK & SMILE at BABY!Newborn babies are able to see at birth fairly clearly (about the distance between the mother’s face and the baby’s face while the mother is breastfeeding) – they love eye contact, faces and smiles. TALK & SING to BABY!Newborn babies are able to hear well, learn sounds, and communicate vocally and with body language. Talking and singing are critical for the development of babies’ language and intellect, and for soothing. HUG & TOUCH BABY!Newborn babies love feeling mom’s body – her touch, heat, sounds that the baby used to live in while in the womb. PLAY with BABY!For their brains to develop, babies need body movement, positive human interactions, and opportunities to touch, explore and play with age-appropriate toys. READ to BABY!Babies love the sound of language, looking at pictures, and the intimacy of interaction with caregivers during reading.

  22. Key Principles of ECD • Much of what children learn, they learn when they are very young (i.e. under 2 years of age) • Children need a safe environment as they learn • Children need consistent loving attention from at least one person • Children learn by playing and trying things out, and by observing & copying what others do

  23. CONCLUSION • The research literature reveals direct links between mother’s health, nutritional status mental well-being, and child’s physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. • This underlines the importance of 1000 days in child’s life and the quality of food, surrounding environment, love and care he receives from the caregivers.

  24. WAY FORWARD Many things we need can wait. The child cannot. Now is the time his bones are formed, his mind developed. To him we cannot say tomorrow, his name is today. Gabriela Mistral

  25. CONCLUDING REMARKS • Planners, policy makers and educators in Pakistan are urged to re-visit health and education sector policies and regulations in order to promote the concept of baby-friendly environments. • Hope is that the baby-friendly space concept along with health & nutrition up-scaling will be mainstreamed in the early childhood education policies, designs and programs with broader societal efforts to improve the current situation.

  26. THANK YOU For giving young children a voice… healthy children leads to healthy world

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