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.

For its first webinar, ARNEC focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable young children and their families. COVID-19 will have long-term and far-reaching impact on vulnerable, disadvantaged families and children which can lead to an increased exclusion and inequity.  

Dr. Sheldon Shaeffer of ARNEC will provide perspectives on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children and their families, particularly how this might reinforce or worsen factors which tend to exclude young children and families from access to quality ECD programmes. 

This will be followed by three presentations from partners implementing practical ECD strategies targeting children with special needs (Dr. Yvonne Becher, Child Development Centre, Hong Kong); children of migrant families and construction workers in urban centres in India (Ms.Sumitra Mishra, Mobile Creches); and children in ethnic, rural, peri-urban and urban communities in the Philippines (Ms.Joy Sampang and Ms.Catherine Manzano, Save the Children). 

Panelists: Dr. Sheldon Shaeffer, Dr. Yvonne Becher, Ms.Sumitra Mishra, Ms.Joy Sampang and Ms.Catherine Manzano

Regiser at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rQJwkk1OSo63K9Sfkztfsw