Early Childhood Development
Early childhood is a critical period for a person’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development. The Norwegian Afghanistan Committee (NAC) is committed to ensuring that young children in rural and underserved communities have access to quality early childhood development (ECD) programmes, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.
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"Safety, nutrition, and learning – the Norwegian Afghanistan Committee gives children in rural areas a better start in life through early childhood development."
Research shows that early intervention improves educational outcomes, social skills, and economic opportunities later in life. In Afghanistan, limited access to structured ECD programmes leaves many children at risk of developmental delays. NAC’s approach integrates play-based learning, health interventions, and awareness raising and education for parents to provide a holistic foundation for children in their most formative years.
Our Approach to ECD
NAC’s ECD initiatives ensure that children from birth to age five receive the stimulation, nutrition, and care they need through:
- Playgroups – Safe spaces for children, often integrated within women’s self-help groups.
- Kindergartens – Safe spaces for children from the age of 3 months to 6 years, often integrated within hospitals, clinics, and Institutes of Health Sciences.
- Parent Training & Support – Equipping families with knowledge on child health, nutrition, and learning.
- Early Learning Programs – Engaging activities that promote cognitive and social development.
- Integration with Health Services – Ensuring access to vaccinations, nutrition programmes, and medical care.
ECD is the first step in NAC’s broader education strategy. By strengthening early learning, we increase school readiness, improve school retention rates, and support inclusion in education – especially for children in rural, marginalised, and conflict-affected communities. Through these efforts, NAC bridges the gap between humanitarian response and long-term development, ensuring that Afghanistan’s youngest generation has a brighter, healthier future.
