Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)

In celebration of #WorldBrailleDay, we are excited to highlight our new partnership with Perkins School for the Blind on a transformative 3-year initiative that will bring LEGO® Braille Bricks concept to classrooms in Mexico and Vietnam. This partnership empowers educators to provide blind and visually impaired children with an engaging, playful approach to learning braille, while also benefiting children with other disabilities. Through this initiative, we aim to support 6900 children with disabilities – including 1,700 visually impaired and blind children across both countries, helping them develop essential literacy, numeracy, and life skills. Teachers are receiving specialised training to integrate the LEGO Braille Bricks concept into their classrooms, creating more inclusive and accessible learning environments. Early results from the pilot program in Vietnam have already shown great success, with high engagement from students and positive feedback from teachers and parents. This initiative goes beyond just teaching braille – it’s about creating opportunities for children with visual impairments to thrive in school and in life. On this #WorldBrailleDay, we celebrate the power of braille to open doors to education and inclusion. With the support of Perkins School for the Blind, we’re working together to build a brighter, more inclusive future for children with special educational needs.

Love the focus on not only the first 1,000 days of a child's life but the 1,000 days following that window as well - when children often experience different environments outside of the home (e.g., early childhood centers and homes). Dr. Yousafzai said it well: “We need to improve access. We need to improve equity. And it’s not enough just to get children into these spaces; the programs need to be of high quality.” Check out a summary of her research here: https://lnkd.in/e4hUFQMx

Build your research capacity with a grant from ESSA and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre, supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. We are funding 20–25 collaborative research projects (up to $15,000 each) focusing on Early Childhood Development topics related to education and its interplay with health, caregiving, nutrition, and play.    🔴 Only open to researchers based in Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa 🔴 📅 Apply by 28 February 2025 🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/er5kFXKi Lucy Heady Izel Kipruto Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Pauline Rose Sandra Baxter Daniel Hawkins Iddrisu Eunice M. Williams Samuel Asare, PhD Pauline Essah, PhD Benjamin Piper Chris Foy Patrick Dunne Krista Cecille Samson Rexford Akrong Stephen Acquah

Excited to share this new Center for Global Development blog and policy paper examining #childcare expenditures in 4 #subsaharanafrica countries with my co-authors Kehinde Ajayi and Astha M.. In addition the the findings Kehinde mentions below, a few high-level reflections: 1) There are significant data gaps and challenges in determining spending on childcare, particularly for children under 3. Improving data should be an immediate priority. 2) For spending data that is available in these countries (pre-primary education, which is typically for kids 3-6 years old), spending still falls far short of international targets. The exception is where multilateral aid (eg the World Bank’s Invest in Childcare initiative) has been injected, so it is important that this funding lead to sustainable change. 3) ECD policies are becoming more common, but they often neglect the youngest children and their caregivers. More effort and better coordination should be made to make sure childcare-related policies are gender-transformative and don’t leave these populations behind. 4) It may be a challenge for LMIC countries to increase national spending on childcare, but if childcare policy gaps are closed, ILO data shows that significant economic and social benefits can be achieved. Check out the new paper for more specifics on Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Rwanda, and Senegal and some policy recommendations for the future!

Thrilled to shine a spotlight on the Early Childhood Workforce Initiative! 🌟 This global, multi-sectoral effort is generating new knowledge and equipping decision-makers with the tools and resources needed to develop a quality early childhood workforce at scale. A growing body of evidence shows that well-trained and supported early childhood personnel are key to positive developmental outcomes for children. Yet across sectors, there is still so much we don't know about those working directly with families and our youngest children. Limited resources and attention have constrained efforts to scale up this crucial workforce. It's time to change that. By investing in and understanding these essential professionals, we can unlock incredible potential for children worldwide. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/di4_dpj #EarlyChildhoodWorkforce

As we welcome 2025, ECDAN's Executive Director Elizabeth Lule extends her deepest gratitude to all our incredible supporters for your unwavering dedication to advancing early childhood development. This year has been nothing short of inspiring—a testament to the power of collaboration. Together, we've achieved remarkable progress, navigated ongoing challenges, and strengthened our shared commitment to improving the lives of young children and their families worldwide. Looking ahead to 2025, let's carry this momentum forward to tackle critical priorities—from addressing the impacts of climate change on children to unlocking vital financing for the early years. Together, we can create a brighter, more equitable future for every child. Wishing you a Happy New Year! 🎉 Read Elizabeth's end-of-year message here: https://lnkd.in/e7juqQ93 #InvestInEarlyYears #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #CollectiveImpact

We want to thank you for your unwavering dedication to advancing early childhood development this year. Your passion has sparked hope and illuminated futures for so many young children and their families. We recognize that around the world, many young children and families are facing profound challenges—from conflicts and natural disasters to health crises and economic hardships. These struggles are immense, but they also highlight the vital importance of our collective efforts. To everyone on the front lines, working to ease these burdens and bring comfort to those in need, your courage and compassion inspire us all. As we welcome the New Year, let's carry forward our shared commitment to making a real difference. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive, no matter their circumstances. Wishing you a hopeful and rejuvenating New Year filled with resilience and renewed purpose. Here's to strengthening our collaboration and amplifying our impact in the year ahead! #CollaborativeImpact #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment

As the year comes to a close, let’s reflect on the strides made toward equality and the work that still lies ahead. Everyone deserves the same opportunities, choices, and knowledge—regardless of gender. Together, we can create a future where equality isn’t just a goal but a reality. Learn more about UNESCO's mission to advance #GenderEquality in education and join the journey toward progress: https://lnkd.in/eijRCQpG #YearInReview

In 2024, UNESCO kept #education high on the global agenda, leading efforts to make learning more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready. Facing teacher shortages and underfunded education systems threatening progress worldwide, UNESCO mobilized leaders at the Global Monitoring Meeting, in Fortaleza, Brazil, to prioritize education equity and new forms of financing. UNESCO also focused on aligning the digital transformation with the green transition To equip the entire education community for #climate action, the Organization launched two groundbreaking global curriculum greening tools, to empower schools, educators and learners with the skills to integrate sustainability at all levels of education. Additionally, two #AI competency frameworks were introduced, preparing teachers and students for the ethical and effective use of AI in classrooms and beyond. Africa remained a priority in our work, with initiatives strengthening STEM education, teacher training, and higher education systems, unlocking the continent's potential. Programmes promoting gender equality and inclusion reinforced our commitment to ensuring no learner is left behind. In 2024, we reaffirmed our dedication to transforming education for a sustainable and equitable future for all. We look forward to continuing these efforts in 2025. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eAiQMruP #Education #RightToEducation

As we wrap up 2024, your reflections and insights are vital to shaping ECDAN’s future! This year, we began implementing our 2024–2028 strategic plan, and we are committed to enhancing the network’s effectiveness by listening to our members. We’d greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your feedback by completing this survey: https://lnkd.in/eFNWV3GQ. Thank you for helping us make ECDAN stronger, more inclusive, and more impactful! hashtag #CollectiveImpact #CollectiveAction #InvestInEarlyYears #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment