First Steps Video Series

This 3-episode video series highlights core early childhood development issues and messages in 3 countries: Brazil, Uganda, and Moldova. It was produced by the Consultative Group on Early Childhood Care and Development (CGECCD), a global inter-agency consortium, in collaboration with Rockhopper TV. The series, which aired on the BBC in 2008 (but may be viewed online), is an advocacy tool highlighting the CGECCD's 4 "Cornerstones for Global Action" to secure a strong foundation for young children:

• Start at the Beginning - Integrate early stimulation, child development, and parenting information into prenatal, early health, nutrition, and education services - in part by providing access to parenting programmes that address holistic child development, particularly for the most vulnerable families.
• Get Ready for Success - Ensure access to at least 2 years of quality early childhood programmes prior to formal school entry, beginning with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
• Improve Primary School Quality - Increase investments and improve the transition from home or preschool to primary school and the quality of learning in Grades 1-3 by: providing teachers with knowledge about early childhood during in-service and pre-service training, giving children adequate learning materials, and ensuring smaller classes.
• Include Early Childhood in Policies - Address early childhood in all national policies and plans across sectors, including Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs), Common Country Assessments (CCAs), UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), Education for All Plans (EFA), and Fast Track Initiative Plans (FTI).

Drawing on these advocacy messages, each 25-minute video highlights the importance of early childhood overall, with a focus on a specific programme in Brazil, Uganda, and Moldova. For instance, "in Uganda we follow the story of best friends Sharon and Tauwfiki who are both five. They're pupils at a Madrassa preschool in their small, rural village. Here the children participate in a new approach to active early learning including counting with blocks and making crafts. Sharon's father Kivimba, a brickmaker, is impressed with his daughter's progress and has high hopes for her future."