Why Cuba is leading the way on early childhood development

Cuba is a world leader when it comes to early childhood development 国产视频� with more than 99.5% of young children going to nursery.

Almost 900,000 Cuban children under six attend a learning facility, according to the education ministry.

Compare this to what国产视频檚 happening in the United States – where 38% of three-year-olds, 67% of four-year-olds and 8% of five-year-olds were enrolled in pre-primary programmes.聽

Ethnic background, education of parents and race play a part, with Asian-American children the highest attendees.聽

Figures from the US Department of Education also show that聽six out of 10 four-year-olds are not enrolled聽in publicly-funded pre-schools.聽

It国产视频檚 a very different picture in Cuba, just 100 miles off the Florida coast.聽

In the island nation, programmes for early childhood development have been a priority for more than 60 years.

Over those decades, they realised that early childhood is a key period for brain development. And they have invested in their young population.

During the early years of life, and especially in the first 1000 days, a child国产视频檚 brain develops rapidly and can be impacted depending on their experiences.

Positive experiences – such as good nutrition, stimulation and a safe environment – help the development of a child国产视频檚 brain. Negative experiences, such as prenatal alcohol exposure, trauma and nutritional deficiencies, obviously have adverse effects.

国产视频国产视频檚 #5for5 campaign highlights five key factors which are needed in the first five years of life to provide nurturing care – nutrition, health, learning, play and protection.

But it国产视频檚 not just the Cuban government which has stepped up 国产视频� families are also a major reason why young children are being so well supported.聽

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

“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.

国产视频淐ARE 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.聽

国产视频淐learly 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. 聽In some instances, even more frequently.国产视频�

A UNICEF publication last year聽documented the Cuban ECD system国产视频檚 implementation strategies and most significant results.

The report Early Childhood Development in Cuba said: 国产视频淔amily 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.聽

国产视频淒ay care centres involve families through monthly group activities, while family doctors provide information on appropriate nutrition and preventing injuries in the home.聽

“Families are seen as embedded in communities, which share responsibility for children alongside state service providers.国产视频�

Four key points were found:

• Family is integral in getting the best environment for children
• Learning programmes are being set up in local communities
• Risk prevention and early detection are key – the model remedies potential threats to a child国产视频檚 development
• Diversity is embraced – ECD services are accessible to all children, including the most vulnerable and those with disabilities

CARE国产视频檚 Richard Paterson said: 国产视频淭here is an important cultural element to a child国产视频檚 upbringing in Cuba. 聽

“As in much of Latin America, the entire family plays an important part in a child国产视频檚 development, and with multiple generations under the same roof, this engagement and support occurs on a daily basis.

国产视频淐ubans are rightly proud of the gains that the country has made, particularly in health and education. The ECD programme is a clear example.国产视频�