PETALING JAYA – The Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, has launched a new programme, Healthy Little Bloomers, which seeks to promote child health, safety, and well-being.
The programme could potentially benefit more than 800,000 children nationwide from over 30,000 early childhood care and education (ECCE) centres.
The initiative is the brainchild of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) in collaboration with 10 prominent ECCE organisations from both private and government sectors.
“Children are the nation’s future. Therefore, addressing their health, safety, and well-being needs holistically is one of the government’s key priorities.
“It has been part of the Malaysian government development goals since the 1960s and outlined in our latest Child Health 2021-2023 national framework,” Khairy said at the launch yesterday.
In his speech, the Health Minister stated that young children, especially those under the age of five, are vulnerable to health and safety threats such as infectious diseases, injuries, abuse, and neglect. Children’s well-being at this tender age will have lifelong implications.
Children who are overweight or obese are five times more likely to become overweight and obese adults. Child abuse survivors are at higher risk of becoming abusers or getting involved in abusive relationships during adulthood.
Unmet emotional and mental health needs during childhood will lead to difficulties and problems during adolescence and adulthood.
He added that the government cannot work in a silo.
“We believe that success will only come if a whole-of-society approach is adopted,” he said. For this reason, intersectoral collaboration has been included as one of the key strategic pillars in the Child Health 2021-2023 national framework.
“Thus, why I was delighted to hear about the ‘Healthy Little Bloomers’ (HLB) programme. Not only does the programme promote child health holistically – it also involves systematic and potentially long-term collaboration between the medical and ECCE sectors.”
He applauded MPA for leading the way and partner ECCE organisations for making it happen. The Healthy Little Bloomers programme offers training for ECCE operators and personnel. There are also interactive lessons for children and educational materials for parents and primary caregivers.
The programme is inclusive and will cater to children from various population segments. This includes those who are underprivileged and with special needs. All the materials will be available in Bahasa Malaysia and English.
There are plans for roadshows to be conducted to cater to less advantaged children and activities will consider the needs of those with hearing or vision impairments.
Datin Professor Dr Mariani Md Nor, president of the ECCE Council and Professor of early childhood education and psychology at SEGi university, echoed the Minister of Health’s statements.
“Early childhood development period – characterised by the first eight years of life – is when the brain grows most rapidly. These early years of life build the foundation of future life learnings, health, behaviours, and even success.
“Not only are we responsible for providing children with protection, but also in nurturing health and safety consciousness in them.”
She added, “It is never too early to teach children habits that will help enhance their wellbeing. Infants below the age of two with very limited understanding of verbal communications, learn through observation and experiences.
“Typically, children between the age of three and four are already good at understanding simple instructions. While children above the age of four can start learning through more structured lessons in class.
“Parents and ECCE centres personnel involvement are important as educators as well as role models to these children.” – The Vibes, September 16, 2022
