Mainstreaming psychosocial care and support within early childhood development

Programmes and centres focusing on early childhood development are extremely valuable in addressing the holistic needs of children and their families. Such programmes and centres are especially important in times of adversity, such as HIV and AIDS, poverty, conflict. Early childhood development centres may become centres of care and support which not only provide educational enrichment, nutrition, healthcare and safety, but also help children and their caregivers to grow a sense of self-worth, participation, social connectedness and full enjoyment of life. Mainstreaming psychosocial support (PSS) into early childhood development programmes tries to build on the notion of holistic care to support the full development of the child.

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