Better start for disadvantaged

The first 1,000 days of a child’s life is the fastest period for brain growth.

It is when the most neural connections are being formed, laying the foundations for the ability to learn and develop.

In the light of that, a scheme by KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and AMKFSC Community Services, to help almost 300 disadvantaged young children in the first three years of their lives and their families, has shown some results.

The children under the Temasek Foundation Cares’ Kids Integrated Development Service 0-3 (Kids 0-3) fared better in language and cognitive development compared with disadvantaged children in an earlier study.

Fewer had emotional and behavioural problems.

More of them were on track in their immunisation schedules and recorded good weight gain, if they joined the programme earlier.

The early intervention programme, which started in 2014, provides a range of health and social care support for these children and their mothers, such as home visits and parent education sessions.

Research has shown that children from disadvantaged families already lag behind their peers in terms of health, literacy, social and cognitive abilities by the time they enter pre-school.

Identifying and supporting this group earlier, even as soon as they are born, will go some way in helping them rise above their circumstances.

Engaging their parents is also crucial so that they know how to support their children’s growth, form closer relationships with them and understand their needs.

Intervening in children’s lives early will help them have a better start in life and go some way in forging strong bonds with their families. The positive effects will carry through to adolescence and into adulthood.