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Seizing the First 1,000 Days
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Context:
India is prioritising early childhood nutrition and cognitive development through initiatives like PoshanBhiPadhaiBhi and Navchetana, recognising the first 1,000 days as critical for lifelong growth.
Science of Early Childhood
- Brain Development Window: By age two, a child’s brain reaches 80% of adult weight, with synapse formation and frontal lobe growth peaking in the first 1,000 days.
- Irreversible Nutritional Deficits: Deficiencies before age three can cause permanent stunting and cognitive damage; at the current decline rate, India will reach 10% stunting only by 2075.
- Nutrition–Cognition Link: Studies, including the Vellore birth-cohort, show that iron deficiency hampers verbal skills and processing speed, highlighting the need for combined nutrition and stimulation programmes.
Policy Interventions in India
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): As one of the world’s largest childcare programmes, ICDS provides nutrition and learning support through Anganwadi centres across India.
- PoshanBhiPadhaiBhi Initiative: Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, it integrates nutrition and cognitive development as joint priorities in early childhood care.
- Navchetana Framework: This framework provides 140 structured activities in a 36-month calendar for parents, caregivers, and Anganwadi workers to ensure age-appropriate stimulation.
Gaps and Way Forward
- Strengthening ICDS Delivery: Despite 14 lakh Anganwadi centres, gaps in coverage, quality, and urban service delivery persist, demanding technology-driven and inclusive expansion.
- Pre-Primary Education and Monitoring: Improved access, evaluation, and psychosocial assessment of children under six years are essential to ensure holistic early childhood development.
- Expanding Crèche Models: Public, community-based, and public–private partnership models of crèches are needed to empower women’s workforce participation while supporting child care.
Practice Question
“The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical for nutrition and cognitive development.” Discuss the scientific, policy, and socio-economic dimensions of this statement in the Indian context. Suggest measures to strengthen early childhood care frameworks. (250 words)
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