Lesson Early Childhood in India

No 2 Learner Guide: II

SUMMARY
In India, the diversity and wide range in social and economic influences impact some groups
adversely; same is in the case of child. Cultural, ethnic and geographical variations also bring
in different contexts. In this lesson; you learnt status of young children in India.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
The period from birth to six years
Period of rapid growth and development
Need to be cared and protected with opportunities to realize their potential
Needs supervision
IMPACT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD ON SUBSEQUENT LIFE
Early childhood is a sensitive period in human development, shaped by the child’s
genes (nature) and experiences (nurture).
Early childhood period is important as development takes place maximum during
this period and foundation for holistic development is laid.
A stimulating environment promotes holistic development comprising various
domains namely, cognitive, language, social, emotional and physical competence
whereas any long-term adverse circumstances negatively impact development of
child

STATUS AND PROFILE OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN INDIA

Build Your Understanding
 A nation progresses when its citizens are healthy, educated, economically
independent and contribute to national growth.
 India is a multi-cultural pluralistic society where people of different religions,
languages, social backgrounds, and economic backgrounds co-exist in diverse social
environments.
 It is a vast nation with a population of more than 1.21 billion people, the second-
most populous country in the world.
 The child population data reveals that there are 158,789,287 children in the age
group 0-6 years which is 13.12 percent of total population as per Census 2011.
Demographic Profile of Children in India
o The data from Fact Sheet of the Fourth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015-
2016) conducted by National Institute for Population Studies shows that Child
population (0–6 years) is 158 million.
o The male to female child sex ratio has marginally gone up in ten years from 914 to 919.
Child Morbidity and Mortality
 Child mortality refers to total number of child deaths under the age of five years per
1000 live births.
 Infant mortality is the death of young children under the age of one year.
 Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has gone down from 57 to 41 in the last ten years.

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 In 2015-2016, 2.5% of new born received medical attention within 24 hours as
compared to 0.3% ten years ago.
 Under Five Infant Mortality Rate (U5IMR) has also come down by 24 in ten years from
as high as 74 children per 1000 live births.
 In 2015-2016, the U5IMR was 50.
Maternal Mortality and Health
 Maternal mortality refers to death that occurs due to complications during pregnancy
and childbirth.
 If a woman is pregnant or dies within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, it is also
referred to as maternal mortality.
 The World Health Organisation (WHO) commended India’s progress in reducing
maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by 77% from 556 per 1000 live births in 1990 to 130
per 1000 live births in 2016.
 The NFHS (2015- 16) provides encouraging details about decrease in the number of
women married under 18 years of age. It is 26.8 as compared to 47.4 in 2005-06.
Health and Nutrition
 There is a direct connection between good health and development.
 The most recent estimate in 2015-2016 from NFHS-4, indicates that 35.8% of children
under five years are low in weight, while almost 38.4 do not gain height.
 This wasting (not enough weight) and stunting (not enough height) are signs of
malnutrition and lack of stimulation.
 NFHS-4 data records 41.6% mothers can breast feed within one hour of delivery while
54.9% mothers breast fed babies under six months
Education
 NFHS-4 data indicates that 68.8% of children are attending school, i.e 10% more than
in 2005.
 The role of Early Childhood Care and Education Policy 2013 has been phenomenal in
getting recognition of age-specific needs of children under six years
 Maternity Benefit Amendment Act 2017 focuses on the need for care of children under
three years
Gender
There are many issues related to the girl child i.e., there is denial of health care facilities
and nutrition, early dropout from schooling, low literacy rates in comparison to boys
(girls 65.5% and boys 82.1%, Census of India, 2011) and fewer economic opportunities.
There were 944 females to 1000 males (Census of India, 2011).
DIVERSE SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC CONTEXT
Build Your Understanding
 Diversity in India hinges on physical, social, cultural, linguistic, religious and other
ethnic factors including food, clothing and customs.
 India’s geography is diverse and the country can be divided into several regions viz.
Himalayas, northern plains, central plateau and Deccan, Western and Eastern Ghats,
Thar Desert etc.

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  The differences in climate, temperature, vegetation, fauna give a unique feature to
people in each region. They differ in looks, dress and the physical conditions
influence the social lives
 The status of children varies in terms of demography based on opportunity and
social geography (location and social position).
 The statistics and social attitudes reveal that the present state of affairs is not equal
for all children
Culture, Caste and Tribes
o Caste has been a major source of diversity in Indian society and often becomes a source
of discrimination.
o Economic deprivation led to other forms of discrimination such as untouchability,
cultural restraints on sharing food and water and physical segregation within village
communities.
o Scheduled Tribes are mostly located in forest or rural areas, with distinct socio-cultural
beliefs and practices, deeply interlinked with forest ecology.
Impact on Child
Such negative social and cultural conditions deplete children’s self-worth and identity and
make them submissive. Low motivation impacts the individual’s growth and development
negatively. It limits opportunities available to them and narrows their growth prospects.
Religious Plurality
 Religion is one of the key facets of diversity, along with caste, gender, disability and
age.
 Religion defines dress, food habits, customs, celebrations and festivals.
 The Constitution of India forbids any discrimination on grounds of religion like
Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.
Impact on Child
Religious differences impact everyday life of children and sense of identity. School
authorities need to be aware of norms and practices of different religions.
Types of Family Configurations
 In India, there are many kinds of households ranging from a small unit of parents and
child, to extended members such as families with grandparents living together
 Other family configurations include adopted children.
Impact on Child
Children living in different family set up will have a range of different experiences and
different upbringing.
Children with Disabilities
 Children with disabilities are among the most marginalized and excluded groups in the
society.
 Children who are not disabled often need counselling to understand the differences in
ability and learn to reach out to all with empathy.

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Impact on Child
Children with Disabilities may feel neglected and rejected. Families will need to address
the special requirements of children who have special conditions. Often, there is need for
extra care by parents.
Migrants
 There are an estimated four to six million children who are victims of migration.
 Employed in the unorganised sector, semi-skilled and unskilled migrants are vulnerable.
 Seasonal migration is also particularly disruptive for children.
Impact on Child
Migration raises exclusion from access to basic services and livelihood support; often
leading to denial of a child’s right to education.

Heredity Factors Influencing

Child's Health
Enviornment • Hygine
(Self & Environmental)
Factors Affecting

• Sanitation Practices
Exercise • Nutrition
Childhood

• Immunization
Gender • Maternal Health

Nutrition CHILD VIS-A-VIS THE INDIAN

CONSTITUTION AND PROVISIONS
Familial  The Constitution of India came into force
Infulence on 26 January 1950.
 To uplift disadvantaged sections, the
Geographical Constitution of India, allows affirmative
Influences action through positive discrimination
(reservations) in education and
Socio Economic employment, which is based on caste plus
Status socio-economic backwardness.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE

POLICY
Article Shall not deny to any person Article Childhood and youth are protected
14 equality before the law 39 against exploitation and against
moral and material abandonment.
Article No discrimination on grounds Article Provision for securing just and
15 only of religion, race, caste, 42 humane conditions of work and for
sex, place of birth or any of maternity relief
them
Article “Untouchability” is abolished Article Free and compulsory education to
17 45 all children of the age of six to
fourteen years

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 Article All citizens shall have the Article Shall promote with special care the
19 right 46 educational and economic interests
 Freedom of speech and of the weaker sections of the
expression; people, and in particular, of the
 To assemble peaceably and scheduled castes and the scheduled
without arms; tribes.
 To form associations or
unions;
 To move freely throughout
the territory of India;
 To reside and settle in any
part of the territory of India
Article No person shall be deprived of ArticleRaising of the level of nutrition and
21 his life or personal liberty 47 the standard of living of its people
and the improvement of public
health
Article Free and compulsory Article Responsibility of parent/guardian
21 A education to all children of the 51A to provide opportunities for
age of six to fourteen years education to his child between the
age of six and fourteen years.
Article Prohibition of employment of children (below the age 14 years) in factories
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CHILD REARING PRACTICES IN INDIA
Child rearing practices are those practices which are grounded in cultural patterns and
beliefs and are adopted by the parents and caregivers for the care and upbringing of
the child.
Child rearing practices for a given time depends to a large degree on the child’s
developmental age and the health and nutritional risks the child is facing.
Generally, the mother is the primary caregiver, sometimes with considerable support
from others and sometimes alone.
EVALUATE YOURSELF
Q1. Early childhood years are formative years in the growth and development of children
when the foundation for lifelong development and learning is laid. Discuss the factors
affecting early childhood
Q2. The first three years are crucial as children use or lose what they have, as also ‘serve and
return’. Comment on the statement.

PRACTICE YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Explore the internet and write a report on the present status of ‘Child and Childhood’ in
India.