Early Childhood Development, Sept. 30, 2024, 7:49 a.m.

What do national development and investing in the First Thousand Days have in common?

Author: Common Good

Investing early has lifelong and national impact.

"When societies fail to provide children with strong foundations to build healthy and productive lives, it compromises the future prosperity and well-being of everyone."

 

 

Dear Friend


The Children's Institute recently launched The South African Child Gauge 2024 report, presenting a compelling case for investing in early childhood development. This report, which features a case study on the work of Sikunye (pg 191), highlights the need to explore other potential strategies for reaching out and supporting caregivers and families of young children, strengthening their capacity to provide nurturing care.

 

 

 

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A whole of society approach

 

In the First Thousand Days of life (from 0-2 years), a baby's brain reaches 80% of its adult size, and the long-term physical, emotional, and intellectual foundations of every child's health are laid. Children who get the right nutrition in their First Thousand Days complete 4.6 more grades at school and go on to earn 21% more in wages as adults. Focusing on early childhood learning is key to breaking the cycle of poverty, violence, and ill health, while boosting national development.


From health providers, to government, educational bodies, to religious groups, a comprehensive and integrated response is needed. It is up to us all - clinics, daycares, churches, workplaces, and families to ensure children get a strong start to life.


Sadly, up to half of the babies born in South Africa each year will not receive the necessary building blocks of love, nutrition, stimulation, health care, and safety to set them up for success. This leads to an ever-widening gap of inequality and lost potential.


For children to thrive, we must focus on the adults/parents caring for the child. For these adults to consistently provide enough of the right kind of care, they need supportive relationships, information/skills, and access to services.


With an estimated 43 000 church communities across South Africa, the local church has a wide reach into society and is ideally positioned and equipped to serve and strengthen parents and caregivers. Regardless of their size, denominational practice, or cultural heritage, faith communities play a meaningful role in enabling young children and families to thrive. And Sikunve is committed to raising awareness and equipping them to do so.

 

Sikunye focuses on mobilising faith communities as an agency of social change because churches:


•    Already have inherent strengths and existing practices that-make it well-suited to support parents.
•    Have social capital: they consist of a range of people with connections & capabilities that can be leveraged to see families thrive.
•    Have existing practices that involve visiting and caring for families: their support is sustainable.
•    Are contextually and culturally relevant to their community.

 


 

Sikunye presenting at the WC Dept of Health and Wellness

Some other news

 

During World Breastfeeding Week, Sikunye presented on the role of fathers in the first thousand days at the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness seminar on breastfeeding.


Here is Richard Lundie, Sikunye's Programme Leader speaking at the conference.

 

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We could not do this vital work without your support. Together, we are investing in young lives and driving national development. Thank you for your continued and faithful investment in Common Good.