From Quantity to Quality: Delivering a Home-based Parenting Intervention through China’s Family Planning Cadres

A key challenge in developing countries interested in providing early childhood development programs at scale is whether these programs can be effectively delivered through existing public service infrastructures. We present the results of a randomized experiment evaluating the effects of a home-based parenting program delivered by cadres in China’s Family Planning Commission (FPC) - the former enforcers of the one-child policy. We find that the program significantly increased infant skill development after six months and that increased investments by caregivers alongside improvements in parenting skills were a major mechanism through which this occurred. Children who lagged behind in their cognitive development and received little parental investment at the onset of the intervention benefited most from the program. Household participation in the program was associated with the degree to which participants had a favorable view of the FPC, which also increased due to the program.

Art practices in preschool pedagogy: world trends and Kazakhstan realities

Art has always been an important part of early childhood development programs. In science, quite original techniques have accumulated in this direction, which today require detailed systematization and analysis. From here, the article reveals the world experience in introducing art practices in early childhood development programs. The author analyzes the best practices of cognitive and socio-emotional development of preschool children, based on different types of art. At the same time, the author looks for critically reflects on the achievements of Kazakhstan preschool pedagogy accumulated to this day in the context of the analyzed issue. The article presents the theoretical justification of the development model of young children in the system of preschool pedagogy, based mainly on visual arts. Systematic focused art education of children 3-4 years old is based on the formation of a steady interest of children in visual art as one of the most effective methods of active cognition of the world. The author’s methodology is based solely on generally available creative techniques and materials, which allows teachers and parents to widely use this experience in everyday life, helping children to express their impressions in graphic and plastic form.