Actress Ma Yili promotes early child care project

Actress Ma Yili (left). [Photo/Official Weibo of UNICEF]

Since 2013, the project has covered 80 villages in Guizhou and Shanxi provinces. 40 community-based integrated ECD centers have been set up in disadvantaged rural areas, providing a child-friendly and safe space for carers to play with their children and develop knowledge and skills in child rearing.

In the center, one early stimulation volunteer worker works with parents, grandparents or carers, as well as the children. A parenting portal is available for parents to access information on all aspects of child development up to the age of six; an app is also available.

"The parents and grandparents I met were so actively engaged in the interaction with the children. I can tell there has been a huge change in the perception of ECD among local people," said Ma. "I never expected the project could reach such a remote and poor area."

"A child's first few years are an unprecedented opportunity to ensure the establishment of good development practices and programs that provide the foundation for life-long thriving," said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to China. "It requires a mix of integrated interventions and multi-sectoral involvement to ensure every child has access to good healthcare and nutrition, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, early stimulation and protection from violence, abuse and neglect."

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