Why Early Childhood Development Matters

By Tabitha Marion

Njeri, a 17-year-old high school student, tested positive for pregnancy in her ninth month. This revelation came as a shock to her mother, who had heard rumors of Njeri's situation from friends and neighbors. 

For many, including Njeri's mother, the news was unexpected, especially since Njeri had developed an impressive hourglass figure with no obvious signs of her pregnancy. Her flawless, fair skin and constant smile gave no indication of the struggles she faced.

However, Njeri was aware of her condition; her periods had stopped for several months. When her mother asked about her plans, Njeri candidly replied, "I was going to hang myself or throw the baby into the river after I gave birth."

Teenagers often confront overwhelming emotions during pregnancy, and Njeri had concealed her situation for nine months while grappling with a well-thought-out plan regarding her future and that of her baby. One can only imagine the pain and suffering her mother must have endured, an agony that is truly intolerable.

This raises important questions: How many newborns are lost to abortion? How many are tragically killed after delivery? How many babies do not receive proper care from conception to birth? Additionally, how many babies are born to unmarried teenage mothers?

These questions highlight the urgent need for understanding and embracing early childhood development and care.

Early childhood development encompasses all aspects of nurturing care and is a comprehensive, interconnected process. It includes physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, cultural, and emotional growth. The most effective way to ensure that children survive, thrive, and reach their full potential is through integrated and coordinated approaches to child development.

Scientific evidence shows that human beings develop at their fastest rate during the first 1,000 days of life, beginning at conception. If nurturing is not provided during this crucial period, it can result in lost potential for a lifetime, leading to severe consequences for disabled or sickly children, and in some cases, even death at birth.

Nurturing children involves a comprehensive approach to keeping the fetus safe, healthy, and well-nourished while paying close attention to their needs and interests. For example, Njeri's experience shows that nurturing a child requires mothers to attend regular clinic check-ups throughout pregnancy and maintain a healthy diet for the baby's well-being.

There is ample evidence that a child's development is significantly supported by responsive care, stimulation, a healthy diet, and protection from harm. Focusing specifically on the 0-3 year age range, research indicates that early childhood experiences—particularly during the first five years of life—have lasting impacts on social, cognitive, emotional, and physical development. 

Healthy early childhood development lays the groundwork for success in kindergarten and beyond. Various environmental and social factors, including early life stress, socioeconomic status, relationships with parents and caregivers, and access to early education programs, shape the opportunities for early childhood development, influencing a child's long-term physical and mental health development. These elements have a long-lasting effect on a child's physical and mental health.

Among teenage mothers, specific challenges are especially prevalent. In these situations, the unborn child often faces financial strains due to the teen's limited income, early-life stress, and emotional detachment from unstable relationships. 

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 highlighted significant disparities in the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy across the country, raising concerns about early childhood development despite Kenya's progress in this area.

The report "Teenage Pregnancy and Motherhood Situation in Kenya," health education resources, indicates that approximately one in five teenage girls aged 15 to 19 is either expecting their first child or has already given birth. The pregnancy rate increases sharply with age, rising from 3% among 15-year-olds to 40% among 19-year-olds. Each county faces unique challenges, with some being disproportionately affected.

This situation underscores the urgent need for education on early childhood development. This period represents a critical opportunity to positively influence a child's overall growth and to lay a solid foundation for their future.