ECA presents Child Development perspectives for the 16 crore children in the age group of 0-6

March 13, 2012 - PRLog -- At ECA's first ever conference in Mumbai, presided over by educationist Ms. Swati Popat Vats, the best names in early childhood development expressed their opinion and views on developmental challenges faced by parents and teachers of pre-schoolers. Dr. Swaroop Sampat Rawal, Dr. Samyr Dalwai (Developmental Pediatrician), Mr. Amol Gupte, Dr. Harish Shetty (Child Psychiatrist), Dr. Seema Hingorani (Clinical Psychologist and Trauma Researcher) to name a few. The two day conference touched upon topics that ranged from nutrition in children, to dealing with trauma in early childhood, developmental needs of children below 6 years of age, and also sharing of best practices amongst pre school teachers to enable them to give their best to the young minds in their hands.

some very relevant points that were put forward:

1. Direct co-relation between malnutrition and academic performance - are parents giving the right amount of nutrition to their children in the right form?

2. Creating teaching aids using low cost/recyclable and waste materials - what can you do using waste plastic bottles, cartons, x ray sheets, calendars, empty talcum containers, paper plates, etc.

3. Why the government is not taking early childhood seriously? Fiscal budget has only 1% for early childhood and that too for nutrition, not care and education.

4. Should children be allowed to participate in the film and acting field? - What should be the do's and don't attached with the same? - Mr. Amol Gupte

5. Importance of learning through play in early years - concept of parachute play, the importance of non-intrusive play (where parents/elders keep an eye on the child but don't interfere with the act of play)

We know India is a young country, but the 2011 census showed us just how young we actually are. We have a population of 16 crore children in the age group 0 to 6 and their developmental needs present a huge challenge and opportunity for educationists across the country.

ECA was formed in April 2011. They launched their 'Quality Booklet' that is the 1st ever published booklet on quality indicators checklist for evaluating early childhood programs.

Early childhood education gurus added their inputs to the findings of the survey.

Dr.Samyr Dalwai says, "it is disingenuous of the food and advertising industries to imply that the types of food eaten by people have little impact upon weight gain."

Dr. Kamini Prakash Rege ,Specialization - Human Development,College of Home Science, Nirmala Niketan who presented on low cost teaching aids.

Dr.Swaroop Rawal, Faculty - with Jamnabai Narsee School , Teacher Enrichment And Academic Management (TEAM), Core Member of ECA and council Member AICTE who spoke at length about the importance of proper nutrition in kids.

The two day seminar also saw a panel discussion on Child Protection - Transformation and Challenges. The panelists were Ms. Sheela Mallaya, Mr. Amol Gupte, Dr. Harish Shetty, Mr. Arvind Here, Dr. Seema Hingorani