UNICEF and WHO developed the Care for Child Development (CCD) approach, which AKDN has adapted for Syria’s Child Wellbeing programme to better support parents and caregivers of children from birth to three years. During each of their 13 health centre visits, the programme evaluates children's development, providing consultations and interventions as needed.

AKHS has encouraged a child-centred approach: integrating paediatric services, training staff, supporting the creation of play areas and even encouraging bright colours on the walls. Sixty-five health centres in six governorates are now child friendly.

With input from AKDN, Syrian trainers and supervisors provide health workers with an interactive programme that emphasises listening to and guiding parents and caregivers during visits. Community health educators also play a role in building trust with parents and caregivers and encouraging their attendance.

The health workers show parents how to use materials available at home to interact and play with their young children, responding to their movements, sounds and talk in order to support their motor, cognitive and socioemotional development.

“We focus on the positives,” says Dalal. “Parents sing for their children, and we show them how important it is for relationship development, and to support their hearing and communication. Most parents give mobile phones to their children while they rest. But they don’t know that it can be very dangerous for the children’s sight and hearing, and that they should instead play with the children to build trust with them and stimulate their development. That was another easy idea they could apply at home.”

In partnership with UNICEF, AKF has supported communities to establish preschools, giving young children a foundation for academic and life skills. Staff engage with communities where there is no existing provision, listen to their challenges, explain the importance of ECD, and assess their willingness to contribute to a local centre. AKF supports the community for two years, offering training and mentoring. Teaching and learning resources are provided to ensure they can sustain the centre independently.

The children join in activities that build skills for holistic development. Storytelling and role-playing help develop language skills and creativity. Structured play promotes social interaction and fine motor skills, fostering children’s emotional and physical development. Puzzle-solving enhances cognitive development. Group games build teamwork and social skills.

Profiles on each child’s development show that attendees improve their social and emotional skills, crucial for better health and relationships. “We can enhance the children’s resilience to help them cope with adversity and adapt to challenging circumstances,” says Razan.

“We also teach parents how to interact with children, employ positive discipline, and provide psychosocial support. Initially, the fathers may feel shy, but then they say how much they had missed playing with their children because of the impact of the war and the demands of work.”

Most centres also provide basic health and nutrition interventions, ensuring comprehensive support for children’s development. The 59 Early Childhood Education centres reach about 6,000 children each year.

One of them is the silent girl we met earlier. How have things turned out for her?

“After enrolling in one of our activities,” says Razan, “she began to interact with her teacher and peers, though still without speaking. After receiving specialised emotional support, and her family being guided on how to care for her, she gradually started to communicate. By the time the new school year began, this young girl entered first grade just like any other child – talking, learning and participating.

“Her journey from silence to laughter and connection reminds us of the incredible transformation that can happen when children receive the right support.”