A closer look at the nurturing care components
Component Definition Illustrative examples of interventions
- Family planning
Good health Refers to the health and
- HIV testing, prevention of mother-to-child
well-being of the children
transmission of HIV
and their caregivers. Why
- Essential newborn care including kangaroo
both? We know that the
care for small babies
physical and mental health
- Immunization of mother and child
of caregivers can affect
- Growth monitoring and counselling
their ability to care for the
- Promotion of health and well-being
child.
including health care seeking behaviour
- Prevention and treatment of childhood
illness and caregiver physical and mental
health problems
- Care for children with developmental
difficulties or disabilities
Adequate Refers to maternal and - Maternal nutrition
nutrition child nutrition. Why both? - Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding
We know that the for 6 months, continued breastfeeding
nutritional status of the after 6 months with appropriate and
mother during pregnancy responsive complementary feeding
affects her health and well- - Micronutrient supplementation for mother
being and that of her and child, as needed
unborn child. After birth, - Adequate physical activity, sedentary
the mother’s nutritional behaviour and sleep in early childhood
status affects her ability - Management of moderate and severe
provide adequate care to malnutrition as well as overweight and
her young child. obesity
Safety and Refers to safe and secure - Birth registration
security environments for children - Food security and access to clean water
and their families. Includes - Clean indoor and outdoor air
physical dangers, - Good hygiene
emotional stress, - Protecting children from physical
environmental risks (e.g., punishment, abuse, and neglect
pollution), and access to - Safe spaces to play
food and water. - Social care services including cash transfer
to the most vulnerable families
A closer look at the nurturing care components
Component Definition Illustrative examples of interventions
Opportunities Refers to any opportunity At home and in child care spaces:
for early for the baby, toddler or - Activities that encourage young children to
child to interact with a move their bodies, activate their five
learning person, place, or object in senses, hear and use language, and explore
their environment. - Using daily routines to talk to, play, and
interact with baby/toddler/child
- Telling stories (including by elders)
Recognizes that every
- Exploring books together and reading to
interaction (positive or
the baby/toddler/child
negative) or absence of an
- Talking to and with the baby/toddler/child
interaction is contributing
- Smiling, imitating/copying, and simple
to the child’s brain
games (e.g., peek a boo)
development and laying
- Age-appropriate play with household
the foundation for later
objects and people
learning.
- Quality standards in formal child care
spaces
Responsive Refers to the ability of the Across multiple services and touchpoints:
caregiving parent/caregiver to notice, - Modelling and encouraging caregivers to
understand, and respond make eye contact, smile, cuddle, praise
to their child’s signals in a - Helping caregivers to notice their child’s
timely and appropriate cues and respond appropriately (sensitivity
manner. and responsiveness) – for example signs of
hunger, satiety, illness, emotional distress,
Considered the
interest to play, pleasure
foundational component
- Supporting caregivers to identify and use
because responsive
everyday moments to communicate and
caregivers are better able
play with their child (e.g., feeding, bedtime)
to support the other four
- Encouraging caregivers to develop safe and
components.
mutually rewarding relationships with their
child (e.g., they enjoy being together)
For more information and examples see:
Nurturing Care Framework for Early Childhood Development (pp. 12-19)
The five components of nurturing care at www.nurturing-care.org
