Page 5 - Final Lesson-2.pmd

Early Childhood in India

Most communities have a prescribed set of foods that help mothers lactate.
There are customs to celebrate the child’s transition from breast milk to semi-
Notes solid foods at about six months of age.

2.2.1.5 Education

NFHS-4 data indicates that 68.8% of children are attending school, i.e 10% more
than in 2005. Although total number attending school has improved, quality of
education in manyschools needs improvement to maximise the benefit to children.
There have been attempts to create play-based learning environments for young
children. The role of Early Childhood Care and Education Policy 2013 has been
phenomenal in getting recognition of age-specific needs of children under six
years.
Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017 focuseson the need for care of children
under three years. The Act makes it mandatory for workspaces to provide childcare
facilities. Such a directive from the State has focused on the role of early
stimulation and play for babies.

2.2.1.6 Gender

Childhood is sometimes influenced by how society treats children. A nation cannot
progress until all members of society are given equal rights and opportunities. If
there are gender disparities, we cannot progress as a nation.

Let us review how data presents gender status.There are many issues related to
the girl child like, there is denial of health care facilities and nutrition, early
dropout from schooling, low literacy rates in comparison to boys (girls 65.5%
and boys 82.1%, Census of India, 2011) and fewer economic
opportunities.According to Census of India, 2011, there were 944 females to
1000 males.

The NFHS-4 data indicates the sex ratio for general population at 991, a drop of
nine in 10 years. In 2016, the sex ratio was lower in urban areas. Overall, in
2015-2016 there was an increase in ten years by more girls surviving figure
changing from 914 in 2005 to 919 in 2015.

2.2.2 Diverse Social, Cultural and Economic Context

It is important to discuss cultural factors defining differences as the variations in
belief systems, availability of resources and nature of attitudes, influences and
experiences that unfold for children. Diversity in India hinges on physical, social,
cultural, linguistic,religious and other ethnic factors including food, clothing
and customs. India’s geography is diverse and the country can be divided into
several regions viz. Himalayas, northern plains, central plateau and Deccan,
Western andEastern Ghats, Thar Desert etc. The differences in climate,

16 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION