North American Ed - The ecology of childhood

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3. Strengthening environments for children

Children live in the environments we create. Families define a child’s home environment. For many children, non parental care settings are also important environments where children learn and develop. A home environment is within the public space of a particular neighbourhood and community. Public policies and infrastructure set the stage for communities and the variety of programs and services they provide for chldren and families. All of this is influenced by culture. Based on what we know from research about family experiences, early childhood education, early interventions and neighbourhoods, it is incumbent on us to create the best possible environments for children.

How can home environments nurture and stimulate young children?

How can communities support families?

Beginning in the 1990s, the Al-Azhar park in an historic district of Cairo was created by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture over a five hundred year-old former rubbish heap, resulting in a beautiful and much-needed green space in central Cairo. With over two million visitors a year, the park generates enough funds for its own maintenance (through gate and restaurant receipts). It has also proven to be a powerful catalyst for urban renewal in the neighbouring district of Darb al-Ahmar, an architecturally and culturally rich low-income area. The agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network have undertaken social, health and education programs that complement the urban renewal activities. The following video shows some of the health and education programs in Darb al-Ahmar. As you watch, think about how these programs might affect the lives of children.
VIEW Supports for young children and their families in Darb al-Ahmar, Cairo, Egypt (15:12)
Daily life for children and families is changing in Darb al-Ahmar. For example, health promotion activities have resulted in increased awareness (32-40 percent in 2010 from 15-33 percent in 2008) on safe pregnancy, family planning, post-partum care, breast feeding practices and maternal and child nutrition.

From infrastructure improvements, to prenatal classes to adult literacy, the programs reach people from the prenatal period to adulthood. How do you think these inputs affect the ecology of childhood in Darb al-Ahmar?

It is important to consider timely issues and events that have an immediate or unexpected impact on children’s environments – the COVID-19 pandemic is one such example that will be explored throughout this and other modules. The pandemic brought about social and economic change on an unprecedented scale, much greater than anything most of us have seen in our lifetimes. Our understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on young children and families continues to unfold. Early research is providing insight regarding the impacts on children, families, and communities. At the same time, there is a constant flow of information that seeks to support and reassure parents and help all adults understand how to support children at home and in early child development programs and schools.

The following pages highlight various ways to strengthen environments for children. Program and policy implications related to children’s homes, early child development programs, as well as the broader neighbourhood and communities will be explored.