HomeKnowledge LibraryInvest in Young Children
HomeKnowledge LibraryInvest in Young Children

Invest in Young Children

This report summarises a two-day national conference held in Gopalpur in Odisha, India, in January 2016.

Policymakers, researchers and practitioners discussed strategies to scale up the implementation of mother tongue-based multilingual early childhood education in tribal areas, addressing factors including parenting, human resources, pedagogy and the role of government and the private sector. The conference was organised by Bernard van Leer Foundation and local partners, and supported by the Women and Child Development Department of the Government of Odisha.

Odisha is a multilingual and multi-cultural state. The state is home to 62 different tribal communities and more than 100 caste and sub-caste sections with their own traditions, culture and languages. There are 22 languages and a variety of dialects within the communities which form a multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual situation.

Related Content
Guide Building a Society for Babies, Toddlers and Caregivers
This guide for policymakers covers integrated policies and vital services to promote early childhood development.
Research report An Evaluation of Mother Tongue-Based Early Learning and Parents+ Programme
This report provides an evaluation of a model of mother tongue-based multilingual early childhood education in the state of Odisha, India.
Research report State of the Young Child in India
This is one of the first comprehensive studies on young children in India, aimed at practitioners, policymakers, influencers and researchers.
Countries