THE

The best way to help children is to support their parents and caregivers from the start. Children need to form secure attachments, which depend on positive interactions and the responsiveness of parents and other caregivers.

In 2018 the World Health Organization, World Bank and UNICEF called for action to make “nurturing care” a reality for all children. Nurturing care is defined as care that provides quality health, adequate nutrition, early learning, security and protection from harm and violence.

A wide body of research shows that nurturing, responsive and stimulating interactions between young children and their parents positively and permanently strengthen the ability to learn7 .

7 UNICEF (2017) Standards for ECD Parenting Programmes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. 8 Adapted from: WHO, UNICEF, WBG (2018).

Nurturing care for early childhood development: a framework for helping children survive and thrive to transform health and human potential.