ARNEC is pleased to host a series of webinars highlighting the important role of early childhood development (ECD) in responding to the unintentional impacts of COVID-19 as countries implement measures to contain the spread of the corona virus. These include ‘lockdown’ measures which meant closure of pre-schools and disruption of ECD services, among other things. About 1.5 billion children are out of school or childcare, according to UNESCO, arising from unprecedented school closures and the ‘stay-at-home’ directive by most governments all over the world to halt the spread of the corona virus.
Taking care of children in the confines of the home as a result of COVID-19 containment measures is a tough responsibility for parents and caregivers 24/7 for weeks and months, with no end in sight just yet. This is even more tough for poor families with no work and incomes, and with limited access to food and other basic needs. And yet under these trying circumstances, the responsibility for positive childcare remains in the home with little to no human interaction with neighbours and communities and with constrained support from the government and the private sector. Under this COVID-19 situation, how then should parents and caregivers care for the young children and for themselves during prolonged periods of home quarantine?
ARNEC is pleased to gather ECD experts and practitioners for its second webinar amplifying the important role of ECD in responding to the unintentional impacts of COVID-19 containment measures on young children and their families in the Asia-Pacific region.
Panelists: Dr. Pablo Stansbery, Dr. Jamie M. Lachman, Dr. Rumaya Binti Juhari, Ms. Fitriana Herarti, Ms. Aparajita Chaudhary
Moderator: Prof. Margaret Sims ( Steering Committee Member, ARNEC)