Ideas from early childhood development approaches to contribute to Millennium Development Goals’ achievements in Latin America1

Abstract

This chapter examines trends in early childhood development (ECD) programmes in Latin America and their relevance to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the region. It begins with a theoretical background on ECD policies, including child protection policies, the ‘ecological’ approach to ECD programmes, how such programmes seek to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty, and their emphasis on the ‘vital cycle’ approach. It then considers some conditioning factors for child development before turning to the monitoring and tracking system of Chile Crece Contigo (ChCC), an early childhood development programme in Chile. It also discusses parenting stimulation as a component of ECD programmes in Jamaica.