Early childhood: The essential foundation

This chapter discusses the absolute importance of a good start in early childhood as the foundation for later human development. It focuses on two core development concerns: under-nutrition, and preschool circumstances and interventions. The Young Lives countries show progress in stunting reduction, notably in Peru where reducing under-nutrition has been given national importance. The ongoing prevalence of stunting nevertheless is a clear channel through which poverty in childhood results in disadvantaged development. Interventions to improve early childhood circumstances have been shown to work for the poorest children. Indeed, nutritional supplementation has been found to support healthy growth, especially for young children and poorer children. Interventions to support infants also have the potential to support mothers and primary caregivers. As these findings suggest, to ensure their survival, health, and development, young children need a multi-sectoral response.