Page 16 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

INTEXT QUESTIONS 2.3
Notes
Match column A with column B.

Column A Column B

(i) Article 14 (a) raising of the level of nutrition
(ii) Article 45 (b) the tender age of children are not abused

(iii) Article 47 (c) prohibition of employment of children in factories

(iv) Article 39 (d) provide early childhood care and education

(v) Article 24 (e) shall not deny to any person equality

2.7 CHILD REARING PRACTICES IN INDIA

India is an ancient society with a cultural heritage of more than 5,000 years. It is
a pluralistic, diverse country with diverse customs and beliefs about child-rearing
practices throughout the country.

Child rearing practices are those practices which are grounded in cultural patterns
and beliefs and are adopted by the parents and caregivers for the care and
upbringing of the child.

Child rearing practices for a given time depends to a large degree on the child’s
developmental age and the health and nutritional risks the child is facing. There
are traditional beliefs and practices that impact the mother’s health and
preparedness to give birth to a healthy infant.

At birth and during the first year of life, the child is at the greatest risk of mortality.
That may be why there are so many beliefs and practices within traditional cultures
that surround the birth of a child. It is recognised as a critical time for both the
child and the mother. Where a period of confinement is a part of the tradition; ,it
allows the mother time to recover physically and to bond with the child before
she is required to assume her tasks. The negative side of this practice is that it
may keep the mother from getting medical care that she requires.

During the post-partum and early infancy stages, the child is completely dependent
on others for care. Generally, the mother is the primary caregiver, sometimes
with considerable support from others and sometimes alone. She is responsible
for providing all the things an infant needs: protection from physical danger;
adequate nutrition and health care; an adult who can understand and respond to
signals; things to look at, touch, hear, smell, and taste; opportunities to explore

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 27