NEWSLETTER MAY - JUNE, 2019

II Issue:
In the News;
PAFEC News & Updates
Latest Research
Best Practices
Weekly Radio Programme on Early Childhood Development in Collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University
Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood and Allama Iqbal Open University jointly initiated a weekly radio programme on Early Childhood Development (ECD). The purpose of the programme is to create mass awareness about ECD and to promote the upcoming International Conference on ECD.

1st RADIO PROGRAMMEE

1st programme focused on the importance of ECD and how the forthcoming conference can advocate for promoting holistic ECD in the country, who should attend the conference and why, what are the theme and sub-themes of the conference and what the conference wants to achieve. Ms. Shafia Rafique Principal Little Fellows & Elementary School, one of PAFEC member talked about the role of parents in raising their children and how they can ensure optimum development of their children in the early years. While Ms. Khadija Khan, CEO PAFEC explained what is holistic ECD and how the conference will help participants to understand this term in the light of latest research. For more details watch the video in the link below:


2nd RADIO PROGRAMMEE

2nd programme focused on Role of Play in Early Childhood Development; types of play, how parents and caregivers can use play to help develop their children. For more details watch the video in the link below:


3rd RADIO PROGRAMMEE
 3rd programme focused on mother-child health, mother's physical, emotional and mental health, balanced diet during pregnancy and its impact on the baby's growth, role of husband and other family members to support women in their pregnancy. Dr Irum Javed, Head of Reproductive unit Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences(PIMS) and Ms. Khadija Khan, CEO Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood were guest speakers. For more details watch the video in the link below:



1st Meeting of the Core Committee of the International Conference on Early Childhood Development
The Conference Core Committee (CCC) consists of representatives of partner organisations responsible to organise the International Conference on Early Childhood Development(ECD). The Committee is headed by Prof. Dr. Zia-ul- Qayyum, Vice-Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University as the Conference Chair and Co-chaired by Mr. Muhammad Rafique Tahir, Joint Educational Advisor, the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training and by Mr. Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman Pakistan Alliance for Early Childhood. As such, the CCC shall be the Convener and Organiser of the Conference and has the formation and oversight responsibilities for all the Conference Sub Committees (CSCs).

Research
Reading With Toddlers Reduces Harsh Parenting, Enhances Child Behavior, Rutgers-Led Study Finds
Neal Buccino
People who regularly read with their toddlers are less likely to engage in harsh parenting and the children are less likely to be hyperactive or disruptive, a Rutgers-led study finds.
Previous studies have shown that frequent shared reading prepares children for school by building language, literacy and emotional skills, but the study by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School researchers may be the first to focus on how shared reading affects parenting.

The healthy development of all children is essential for a thriving and prosperous community, and we now know a great deal about how child development works, as well as how to prevent and address problems. So, how can we use insights from cutting-edge science to improve the well-being and long-term life prospects of the most vulnerable children in our society.

The Science of Child Development
  • Responsive relationships and positive experiences build strong brain architecture.
  • Adversity can disrupt children’s development.
  • To provide a stable and supportive environment for children, adults need a set of core life skills.
  • Protective factors build resilience.
About the Distinctive Needs of Infants and Young Children
Science tells us that early childhood is the period during which the brain develops most rapidly and flexibly. This time presents critical opportunities to create a foundation for lifelong health and learning. In addition to the three principles above, child welfare policy and practice should:
  • Promote frequent contact between birth parents and children in foster care.
  • Promote strong connections between foster parents and babies.
  • Ensure that infants and young children receive high-quality medical and mental health care, early intervention services, and early childhood education.
Applying Developmental Science to Child Welfare
An understanding of the science by child welfare system leaders, judges and court staff, caseworkers, kinship and foster parents, birth parents, and older youth involved with the system has the potential to open up new ways of examining and explaining what they encounter in their life and work and create new possibilities for action.

The following three principles can be used to apply the science to child welfare program and policy change and design, to improve practices and better serve children and adults.
  • Reduce Sources of Stress
  • Support Responsive Relationships
  • Strengthen Core Life Skills

The 10 principles for my protection, well-being and development as a girl, boy or adolescent with disabilities













UN launches first campaign to eliminate violence against children and adolescents with disabilities in Asia-Pacific

The awareness raising campaign launched ‘the 10 principles for my protection, well-being and development as a girl, boy or adolescent with disabilities’, which aims to promote the good treatment of children and adolescents with disabilities.
Principle 1 :
I exist as I AM and I Am a person just like you
Principle 2:
I like that you are kind, you love me and play with me
Principle 3 :
I like that you take care of me, protect me and teach me, how to protect myself.
Principle 4:
I want you to accept me as I AM, help me develop my abilities and talents and give me a good quality education.
Principle 5:
I like that you listen to me, explain to me what is happening and consider my opinion.
Principle 6:
I like that you believe in me and help me grow
Principle 7:
I like that you understand me, support me and reassure me when i am upset, angry or frustrated.
Principle 8:
I like it when you include me.
Principle 9:
I want you to respect me and protect me from all forms of violence everywhere
Principle 10:
It matters to me that you believe me.
Best Practices
I want you to accept me as I AM, help me develop my abilities and talents and give me a good quality education.

Akram Khaskheli
Abdul Rehman S/o Muhammad Azam is living in Usman Colony Daur, District Shaheed Benazirabad. Usman Colony is an underprivileged area of Taluka Daur, District Shaheed Benazirabad, Sindh due to lack of basic amenities, such as Gas, proper health Services and more importantly education facilities. The inhabitants of this area are unaware of the importance of education especially early childhood education & development. Abdul Rehman a 4 years old child who has a minor disability as one of his hands is not working properly. He has 5 siblings and his father is a tenant farmer having 2 acres of land to cultivate. He comes from a poor family and it is hard for his father to fulfill the basic needs of the family from his meager income.

In our society people usually prefer not to educate their differently abled children if they are facing financial constraints but they try to educate their normal children in any ways. Similarly, Abdul Rehman’s parents were also reluctant to enroll him in the school and thus his minor disability was a great hurdle in his educational endeavors.

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https://icecd.pafec.org/
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