Publication: Liberia Early Years Policy Note 2018
Date
2019-06-19
ISSN
Published
2019-06-19
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Investment in young children in Liberia
is a critical aspect to Liberia's development agenda.
While progress is being made, greater momentum is needed to
ensure that young children develop and thrive along
physical, cognitive, language and socio-emotional
dimensions. The quality and quantity of early experiences in
the first thousand days lay the foundation for
children's brain development, which includes good
nutrition, early stimulation, and safe and secure
environments. Healthy brains in turn influence health and
education outcomes in subsequent years which translates into
economic growth. Investments in early experiences yield
better health, better school readiness, and higher academic
performance which in turn leads to higher economic
productivity. The pathway to early childhood development
(ECD) starts in utero, therefore, investments in pre-natal
services and healthy pregnancies are the starting points to
healthy childhoods and productive adulthood. Investment in
the early years is a proven gateway to a country's
economic growth and development. To reap full benefits of
ECD investments, it is critical to start early and integrate
programs across health, nutrition, education, and social or
child protection sectors. Over the past three decades,
Liberia made some improvements in the well-being of the
youngest in the country. Despite progress, coverage of
services remains low across the ECD continuum from
conception through birth to child health and pre-school
packages. To conclude, existing guidelines for center or
facility-based delivery of ECD services should be reviewed
and revised to ensure integration of services.
Citation
“World Bank. 2019. Liberia Early Years Policy Note 2018; Liberia Early Years Policy Note 2018. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/32007 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”