Key Messages
- Child development is the period from conception (pregnancy) to primary school entry age (0-8 years).
- Early Childhood development (ECD) consists of integrated services such as good health, balanced nutrition, safety and security of child, clean and good parent-child interaction with lots of play and communication.
- Ensure that a child has these services to be healthy, perform well in school, enjoys school with reduced repetition of class, completes school, obtains a job and becomes a good citizen, and will be able to take care of his/her own family.
- Conception to 3 years of life are very important in the provision of nurturing care because more than 80% of the brain develops during this time and is a critical period.