The first few years of life represent the crucial window of peak brain development where more than 1 million new neural connections are formed every second. Yet, millions of children under the age of five are at risk of falling behind in their developmental growth due to extreme poverty, lack of early stimulation and learning, poor nutrition, and exposure to violence and neglect.

This is particularly true of those most vulnerable to the stress experienced in humanitarian emergencies and conflict settings, which can lead to physical, mental, and behavioral issues in adulthood. In developed countries such as the United States, a child who enters kindergarten unprepared is 25 percent more likely to dropout of high school and 60 percent more likely not to go to college.

• Increase dropout rates

• Lower literacy rates

• Reduce barriers to healthy physical, mental, and emotional development for all children, particularly among vulnerable populations and those affected by conflict;

• Enable parents and caregivers to support their children’s overall development and provide positive and safe surroundings;

• Promote exploration, early literacy skills, and language experimentation in preparation for primary school; and

• Decrease inequalities, including stereotypes and discrimination based on gender, religion, race, or class, among children beginning at birth.

1. MIT Solve - https://solve.mit.edu/challenges/early-childhood-development

Giving Tech Labs Team - Giving.Tech