Developmental Outcomes of Anganwadi Children in Tribal Areas of Visakhapatnam District

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the developmental outcomes of Anganwadi children in tribal areas of Visakhapatnam district. The sample consists of 120 Anganwadi children were selected from thirty Anganwadi centres. From each Anganwadi centre, four boys and four girls in the age group of 3-6 years were randomly selected. The findings revealed that most of the Anganwadi children were in the age group of 4 - 6 years and maximum percentages (42%) of children were found in the class of UKG (Upper Kindergarten). The majority of the children (67%) belong to the nuclear type family. More than half (65.9%) of the children are able to complete the task on overall developmental outcomes of children based on child assessment cards (3-6 years). Boys and girls performed almost equally in all areas of development. Girls performed better than boys in the area of physical (40%), cognitive (12.5%), socio-emotional development (39.1%) and creativity (36.7 %). Boys performed better than girls in the area of language development (20 %) only. The present study's findings showed a gap in the implementation of the preschool curriculum by Anganwadi workers based on their knowledge levels of curriculum and children's developmental outcomes. Hence measures should be taken by the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) to improve the implementation status of preschool curriculum by Anganwadi workers. Majorly, more focus should be provided on preschool education (PSE) programmes along with other services such as nutrition, growth monitoring, referral services, parent education programme and health services provided at Anganwadi centres. As the Anganwadi workers have more additional workloads, it is difficult for them to focus on the implementation of the curriculum. So, one more helper can be recruited by the government to carry out additional duties of the Anganwadi worker. More preschool education training or Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) training should be conducted to enhance the growth & developmental need of children in an effective manner.