India

Dear Kai, It has been six months since you left me as your world to draw me into yours, making your pulse my pace. You arrived after a night that tested the limits of my endurance, serving as a fierce reminder of the importance of access to health care when the miracle of birthing life occurs. Three years ago, your brother transformed your father’…

Almost every Anganwadi in the Galubasa village is bustling with giggles of children sketching, painting, or eating. A stone's throw from the Anganwadi is the primary school where little children run, play, and answer questions. These children are going through the most critical period, between birth and the age of eight. Defined as early childhood…

The teenage years can be challenging in many ways. Academic stress, peer pressure and emotional and hormonal changes are some of the issues that mark these foundational years. This will help them effectively navigate this challenging period of life.     Here is a checklist for teenagers to connect better with their parents and caregivers It is…

It is no wonder that parenting is considered the most important job in the world! Parents anchor children's lives and lay the foundations of relationships, attitudes, and behaviour patterns. How carefully they navigate through the rough waters of childhood determines how smoothly the child will thrive in adulthood. Every year, June is celebrated…

From the moment they are born, babies look to caregivers to help them learn, develop and thrive. Whether a parent, grandparent or other caring adult, caregivers play the most important role in supporting the physical, emotional and cognitive development of children. But parenting is not an easy job and, as any caregiver knows, it doesn’t come with…

During childhood, sound mental health is every bit as important as physical health for achieving developmental milestones. It helps children with their emotional wellbeing and social skills. In addition, mentally healthy children function well at home, in school, and in their communities and have greater chances of leading a happy and successful…

The early years in a child’s life build the foundation for their growth and development. This early brain development determines how your baby thinks, learns and behaves and in the long run, determines their ability to succeed in life. Did you know that during the first 1,000 days of life, a child’s brain develops at a never-again-repeated speed…, Key facts on why early moments matter, The brain develops most rapidly from conception to three years.  One hundred billion neurons are formed in the human brain by 40 weeks of gestation. 1000 neural connections formed every second through stimulation. Responsive relationships and healthy, stimulating environments build a sturdy brain. Children start understanding gender at age three…, Providing a nurturing environment at home, Parents are the most important people in the life of every child – they provide nutrition, protection, care, and love. UNICEF underscores that being a parent is the most important job in the world. Parents and other caregivers are the primary providers of the nutrition, stimulation and protection that every baby needs for healthy brain development…, Guide for parents with children aged 0-2 years, Give them proper nourishment. Only mother's milk for the first six months. infographic 2 Know the importance of touch. Cuddle and hug them often. Monitor their growth. Take them for necessary immunization doses. infographic 4 Talk to your baby. Make sure you look at them in their eyes and talk to them in their mother tongue. infographic 5 Show…, Guide for parents with children aged 2-4 years, infographic 6 Talk and listen. Talking and sharing helps children open up. infographic 7 Structure the day. Set a regular schedule for waking up. infographic 8 Play and have fun. Sing a song, tell a story and dance a little. infographic 9 Set boundaries. Teach them safe and unsafe touch. infographic 10 Limit digital media activities. Do not look…, Guide for parents with children aged 4-6 years, infographic 12 Lay the foundation of learning. Enroll them at the nearest preschool or Anganwadi centre. infographic 13 Violence begets violence. Explain instead of shouting and solve disputes peacefully, including in front of children. infographic 14 Play outdoors, whenever possible. Outdoor games are a great way to bond. infographic 15 Read,…, Parenting during COVID-19, As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought with it new challenges for families across the globe. UNICEF is here to be your partner in navigating this pandemic by providing you with accurate, reliable information on the best ways to keep your family safe., Messages for parents, It is a stressful time – take care of self and support the children Always answer their questions truthfully. Think about how old your child is and how much they can understand. COVID-19 has changed the daily schedule of everyone, yours as well as of your child. Make a new schedule. Even if your children have not heard about Coronavirus, tell them…, Videos, Visit the UNICEF Coronavirus (COVID-19) parenting tips website, Expert tips  to help you deal with COVID-19 parenting challenges. You can also get parenting advice from our global UNICEF parenting site. Meet Vihaan: The Virus Warrior COVID 19 wanted to conquer the entire planet, so it devised a battle plan and multiplied itself into millions and hid in people’s hands. Vihaan opened his secret treasure box and…

Parenting can be challenging especially during a pandemic. Balancing the responsibility of engaging children at home while helping them cope and adapt to this new and uncertain environment is a tightrope walk. Not many parents can strike a balance without support. There is also the challenge that too many children still can't access technology and…

This manual was developed to support CHILDLINE however it can be used by anyone supporting children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including parents and caregivers. The manual is activity-based and so minimal supervision or guidance is needed. There are activities for two age groups – ages six to ten and 11 to 19. We encourage you to download…