KCFI Holds Free Online Conference on Early Childhood Development

By Cyrene Cacdac

On its 25th Anniversary, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) conducted its free online Child Development Workers and Teachers’ (CDW/T) Conference on Early Childhood Development last September 27 and October 4. The conference centered on the theme "Early Care Matters," as outlined by the Nurturing Care Framework. Over 3,000 CDW/Ts attended alongside teachers, parents, and care providers of children.

Watch parties for the 2-day online conference on Early Childhood Development were conducted by some local government units and barangay child development centers for CDW/Ts.

“This conference is a testament to our continued efforts to help empower you—our Child Development Workers and Teachers—who work tirelessly to lay the foundation for the future of our children. As we’ve always known, “If we change the beginning of the story, we change the whole story.” You are the ones who shape these beginnings, and through your care and dedication, you make a lasting impact on every child’s life,” said Rina Lopez, President and Executive Director of KCFI, in her video message for the attendees.

The event's core learning emphasized collaboration to enhance Early Childhood Development (ECD). Practical knowledge shared aimed to equip the audience with the tools to help children survive and thrive. The discussions by April Macan, incoming chair of the Department of Early Childhood Education of Miriam College, and Psyche Olayvar, Early Childhood Development Specialist from UNICEF Philippines, on the Nurturing Care Framework revealed that five crucial components drive a child’s development: Good Health and Adequate Nutrition, Responsive Caregiving, Safety and Security, and Opportunities for Early Learning.

Psyche Olayvar, Early Childhood Development Specialist from UNICEF Philippines, discusses the five components of the Nurturing Care Framework.

Other resource persons, such as the Chair of the Department of Family Life and Child Development at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPFLCD), Dr. Charla Saamong, who expounded on the Opportunities for Early Learning, further discussed each component. Levi Ambon-Rota, Program Head for Bantay Bata 163, discussed the Safety and Security of Children, Dr. June Santiago, M.D., a member of the Pasig Medical Society and the Community Pediatric Society of the Philippines, talked about Good Health and Adequate Nutrition, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs of Miriam College, Dr. Trixie Sison, for Responsive Caregiving. Additionally, there were panel discussions with the resource persons alongside the Child Development Worker and Secretary of the National Federation of Daycare Workers in the Philippines, Butch Duldulao, to clarify and unpack questions and insightful comments that the participants wanted to address.

Providing care for children has become more holistic and calls for a more engaged and present approach. Psyche Olayvar discussed how a child’s neural connections are formed early on and highlighted how a child’s brain is built and not born. With this, a call to action to engage and stimulate the child to further develop their skills and abilities early on through engaging and teaching them. Furthermore, according to research studies, the Early Childhood stage of a child is where growth and development rapidly change, and thus, becomes the most crucial.

KCFI Channel Head Danie Sedilla-Cruz presents Knowledge Channel’s programs for Early Childhood Development (ECD) during the October 4 session of the Early Care Matters conference.

KCFI continues to create interactive video lessons for this endeavor to help CDW/Ts, parents, and care providers of children in their journey at nurturing children aged 0-8. Video-based learning has been one of KCFI’s paramount initiatives to engage and educate children actively. For the 2-day conference, KCFI Channel Head Danie Sedilla-Cruz and Early Childhood Education Programs Manager Elaine Bayta discussed the difference between using gadgets and KCFI’s videos, which are rooted in active viewing, along with how childhood development workers and parents can present these videos to children.

This November, KCFI will hold a free online conference for parents and caregivers, revisiting Nurturing Care and Responsive Caregiving of children.