23 Nov Why Ages 2 to 5 Are a Critical Window for Your Child’s Development

What happens between 2 and 5 years of age is crucially important according to the esteemed Landmark series from ‘The Lancet’, a world-leading general medical journal.

The Importance of the ‘Next 1,000 Days’
The years from 2 to 5 mark an essential period in your child’s growth, often referred to as the “next 1,000 days.” Building on the foundation set in the first 1,000 days (conception to two years old), this stage is critical for shaping a child’s future health, learning abilities, and emotional well-being. During this time, children rapidly develop motor skills, expand their language abilities, and build the social-emotional foundations necessary for life.

What Is Nurturing Care?
Providing nurturing care—encompassing health, nutrition, security, responsive caregiving, and early learning—is vital during these years. Studies highlight the importance of safe, stimulating environments that foster physical exploration, fine and gross motor skill development, cognitive growth, and social interactions.

Global Challenges: Limited Access to Early Learning
Despite the significance of early development, millions of children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), face barriers to nurturing care. Shockingly, nearly three-quarters of children aged 3 or 4 in LMICs lack access to early childhood education, putting their development at risk.

The Role of Early Childhood Education Programs
According to Professor Jane Fisher, a lead researcher from Monash University, early education settings can address multiple developmental needs. These programs provide a platform for:

• Annual screenings and growth monitoring.
• Nutrition support, including food assistance and supplements.
• Parenting education to guide caregivers in fostering nurturing environments.

High-quality early education programs have proven benefits. For every dollar spent, the return on investment is eight to 19 times higher. Expanding access to such programs would cost less than 0.15% of GDP in many LMICs—a minimal expense for such substantial long-term gains.

Policy Recommendations for Ages 2 to 5
The Lancet series urges policymakers to prioritize investment in early childhood education, particularly in LMICs. Recommendations include:

• Training and fairly compensating teachers.
• Maintaining reasonable teacher-student ratios.
• Implementing child-centered, evidence-based curricula.
• Creating warm, responsive classroom environments.
• Offering parent education programs.

Why It Matters
Studies consistently show that nurturing care in the “next 1,000 days” benefits not only individual children but also communities and economies. A supportive early childhood environment is a cost-effective way to promote lifelong health, learning, and productivity.

Monash University: Read the full paper in: The Lancet Series on Early Childhood Development and the Next 1,000 Days DOI: Paper 1: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01389-8/fulltext