Model and Strategy
Hands to Hearts International (HHI) improves the health and well-being of the world's most vulnerable children at their most crucial developmental time, 0-3 years. During this time 85% of a child’s brain develops, enabling her/him to learn, and develop mentally, emotionally and physically. “The many factors that influence early childhood development (ECD) come down to the simple attributes of the child’s day-to-day experience” (Lancet, 2007). Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman has proven “that the highest return on investments in education and training is pre-primary learning, from 0-3 years.” (UNICEF, 2015) HHI has developed an evidence-based education model based on the latest and most consistent findings in child development research. This model has proven replicable, low-cost, and culturally adaptable. HHI equips caregivers - regardless of their resources or literacy - with essential universal parenting skills and knowledge to support their child’s development and health.
Impact
Save the Children’s “State of the World’s Mother’s Report, 2015” ranks India 140th out of 179 countries, demonstrating the huge need to improve women’s status, particularly as caregivers. In India, an estimated 100 million women gather regularly in self-helps groups to save and find solutions to their daily challenges. This massive platform for women’s empowerment offers an opportunity to support large numbers of caregivers. By supporting caregivers, this project supports children’s most formative time of development – cognitive, socio- emotional, linguistic and physical – providing children a solid foundation to succeed in life. No one is more vested in a child’s success than his or her primary caregiver, yet most, and particularly those struggling for daily survival, have limited exposure to effective caregiving practices. HHI’s program empowers caregivers with important new knowledge and skills in the safe and supportive environment of self-help groups to nurture children’s development at a critical point in their lives. “A study in Jamaica shows that children who benefitted from quality early childhood programs earn 25% higher as adults” (World Bank, 2015).
Leadership
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Laura Peterson
Founder