Assessment of Learning and Development of Children Aged 4-5 Years Attending Anganwadi at Urban Field Practice Area -A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Early childhood education (ECE) provides three hours a day education to the children of 3–6 years age group. If implemented properly, it helps children to improve their social competence with better adjustment in school. Aim was to assess learning & development of children aged 4 - 5 years at urban Anganwadi Centres based on child assessment card and objective was to compare learning & development across different domains of child assessment card between undernourished and adequately-nourished children aged 4 - 5 years. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted among 70 children aged 4-5 years at urban Anganwadi Centres. Scores as per domains of Child assessment card were calculated. Height- for -age was calculated. Comparison of performance between stunted and adequately nourished children was done. Data was summarized using numbers & percentages. Chi square was used as test of significance.Among 70 children, 36 (51.43%) were male. Results: For physical and motor development 16 (22.85%) had perfect score. For Sensory, perceptual and cognitive development 37 (52.86%), for language, literacy and communication 32 (45.71%), for personal-social and emotional development 10 (14.29%) and for creativity 5 (7.14%) had perfect score. Among all 70 children 30(42.8%) were found severely stunted, 21(30%) moderately stunted. Stunted children had poor performance in all five domains. Children have poorest performance in creativity domain. Conclusion: Overall, learning & development of children aged 4-5 years at Anganwadi centres are poor. Stunting significantly affects domains of physical and motor development and Sensory, perceptual & cognitive development.