Therapeutic Early Stimulation Toolkit Training Guide Helping Young Children with Disabilities Meet Their Potential

The program focuses on maternal, newborn, and child health, immunization, family planning and reproductive health, nutrition, health systems strengthening, water/sanitation/hygiene, malaria, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and pediatric HIV care and treatment. The TES Training Manual is designed to equip community health workers, early intervention therapists, midwives, clinical officers, and other service providers with the necessary information, tools, and techniques to support the development of young children with disabilities, including those with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). The training resource emphasizes brain development in the early years and covers the four domains of early child development (ECD) and relevant pediatric therapies through hands-on activities. The training is structured around four domains of ECD: social/emotional, language/communication, cognitive, and motor. Each domain is addressed through a series of activities and exercises designed to engage children and promote their development. The training also includes a focus on addressing bias, stigma, and discrimination, as well as guiding principles for working with children with disabilities. The TES Training Manual is intended to be implemented as a consecutive, uninterrupted 3- to 4-day training, with each session day requiring approximately 8 hours. Refresher trainings may be delivered based on the specific needs of a country or program team. The manual is designed to be a comprehensive resource for service providers and parents, providing them with the necessary tools and techniques to support the development of young children with disabilities. The training manual includes a range of activities and exercises, including the Play Dough Activity, Brain Development, and Early Stimulation Examples. It also covers topics such as developmental delays, multiple definitions of disability, and early warning signs. The manual emphasizes the importance of early intervention and provides guidance on how to address the needs of children with congenital Zika syndrome. The TES Training Manual is a valuable resource for service providers and parents working with young children with disabilities. It provides a comprehensive framework for supporting the development of these children and promoting their inclusion in their communities.