• The child's ability to show diverse emotions is a sign of healthy development. If the child is not exhibiting a range of emotions like joy, anger, sorrow and excitement persistently then it could be a sign for consultation to health facility

    Chapter 6 Observational Methodology Page 73

  • whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity - a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother. - Rose Kennedy

    Chapter 6 Observational Methodology Page 78

  • Reasons for child’s growth and developmental success should be explored more than failure.

    Chapter 7 Questionnaire Based Interviews Page 83

  • the most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't being said - Anonymous

    Chapter 9 Communication Skills Page 105

  • It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education - Albert Einstein

    Chapter 5 Intellectual Assessment Page 67

  • Within the classroom, focus should be given to providing a learning environment based on stimulation of all sensory modalities, as the class usually represents students with varied learning styles. In this way, teaching with the use of all learning modalities can cater the needs of all the students.

    Chapter 5 Intellectual Assessment Page 68
Home | Reviews | Review by Franklin White MD

Franklin White MD, President, Pacific Health & Development Sciences


Around the world millions are born into a cycle of poverty and neglect. The disadvantage is so extreme in developing countries that most children never achieve anything close to their potential, and such countries thereby fall seriously short of what they as societies could become. Inattention to the importance of early child development (ECD) is a major policy deficit in many countries.

It is in partial response to this situation, that this book has been written - to promote sound ECD practices. Drawing from evidence, it offers proven measures by which this cycle could be alleviated by caregivers, whether professionals or family members, especially if supported by enlightened public policy. Because the content is organized within a logical structure, and usefully referenced, it may become a recognized text for professional education. It is written by a technically competent team that is sensitive to health conditions that are widespread throughout South Asia. It opens with concepts, then explores the roles and techniques of child assessment and communications, moves to community-based programming, and concludes with teaching and training. It offers philosophy along with technique, and is written without resort to jargon.

The book is reader friendly, which means that it will find a market even wider than the child care professionals for whom it is primarily written. In particular, literate parents will find it of value. Ultimately, it should have a role in transforming practices, as the wisdom gained permeates outwards to society as a whole. If the principles and practices outlined were to be supported and widely followed, the early years of life so critical to each child’s future could be transformed.

The approach offered also throws into relief a quality that has been largely lacking in the pursuit of many public health interventions which have been globally supported. Too often these have not been sufficiently integrated within primary health care, let alone the principles of a holistic approach to human and social development. This also reflects an insufficient investment in such community-based integrative mechanisms. In this respect I agree with the authors who state that “it is important that ECD projects shift from authoritarian and dictated approaches of following global standards of certain limited aspects of child development, which expect conformity for every child…irrespective of cultural, ecological and even genetic differences. Currently, the need for such a paradigm shift is clearly needed by practitioners in the field of child development.”

Early child development is challenged by many artificial barriers thrown up by societies, such as inequitable access to health, education, social services and opportunities. These compound the inequalities which abound in all societies. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child require that all should have fair access to the essentials that make for secure, healthy and productive lives. To the extent that any child is denied such access, and this applies to millions, ultimately not only each child loses, but society as a whole becomes the biggest loser. This brings me to the observation that the underlying determinants of early child development call for a more enlightened social development paradigm by government itself, so that the scope of what is offered within these pages will find fertile ground in a more enlightened and supportive society.

My conclusion: this book will become a core educational resource for a wide spectrum of practitioners, especially in developing country settings where much could be achieved by attending to simple measures that are proven to be effective in promoting early childhood development. I recommend it for a wide range of professionals in training, from child care workers to physicians, nurses, teachers and social workers. For seasoned professionals in these fields, and for literate family members, it is equally valuable.

Franklin White MD, President
Pacific Health & Development Sciences
Victoria BC, Canada
www.pacificsci.org