Early Childhood Development for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania



Early Childhood Development for Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana, Mozambique and Tanzania

Introduction

Development of human brain and body gets accomplished through a number of phases. Among all phases the initial period of infancy and childhood is the most crucial one. This lays the basis of future growth. The nourishment of an infant is greatly influenced by the environment of brought up. The internal biological phenomenon depends on balanced and healthy nutrition but brain development particularly depends on the surrounding atmosphere (www.actionaid.org.uk). The brain is like a blank sheet of paper in early stages of human life. Scientific research suggests that during the initial three years balanced nutrition and suitable atmosphere can contribute in proper growth, to a maximum extent. This is so because during these years the sensitivity of human brain is at its peak (ZERO TO THREE, 2012).

The environment, incidents and experiences of this span develop the psychology of mind. This early growth decides the future approach towards life and other important aspects like healthy relationships, way of living and education (www.ukessays.co.uk). This is important to help children to judge themselves and give them confident thinking about their potential. Timely and proper mind growth of brain accounts for the productivity of a person that affects his own life and also the society (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009). Statistics reveal that, unfortunately 200million children fail to attain optimal intellectual as well as communal potential. Another important fact which enlightens the importance of surrounding atmosphere for the proper functioning of human brain is the geographical region where the percentage of such children is dominant. The third world countries where the illiteracy and violence rate is high are producing such children who are born with diseases or mentally retarded (www.antiessays.com). These children cannot acquire adequate education due to the challenges in their lives and as a result they add to the illiteracy rate of their country. Apart from their personal traumas, they grow up as individuals with bleak future (UNICEF, n.d.).

Important Aspects

Lack of awareness and trend of early marriages in developing countries contribute to the percentage of birth defects. Since there have been no reformatory movements, so diseases and defects are transferred from one generation to the other and this keeps on happening (Brown, n.d.). With the advancement in technology, information resources have become easily accessible by the public, but despite of the fact the progress rate is slow. Surveys show that there are very few platforms from where illiterate people can get education on child development and precautionary measures for controlling birth defects (WHO, 2009).

Another important aspect to address in the welfare of the troubled children is the preservation of their rights. These children with diseases and inabilities are kept deprived of many basic rights like education, social interaction and they become a victim of discrimination (Neugebauer, n.d.). This issue has been raised on international platforms like United Nations, and organizations like UNICEF and WHO ...