In October 2017, CIESPI, together with its community partners launched a new campaign to increase the safety and well-being of young children in the Rio community of Rocinha called Rocinha: Tune into Children Rocinha, (Se Liga na Criança).

Children in Rocinha, and similar low-income communities in urban Brazil, face difficulties which threaten their full development. These include harsh physical conditions, overcrowding, and violence. Such conditions severely impact young children’s development including the actual structure of their brains. Giving children safe places to be and adults knowledgeable about what conditions children thrive in will offset some of the difficulties in children’s environments.

The campaign, based on CIESPI’s applied research and listening to the voices of the community for two years, has two aspects: an agenda for change, and a strategy to help parents help their children.

Low-income communities such as Rocinha have children’s centers that play a vital role in their lives but themselves are plagued by adverse physical and economic conditions. The agenda for change includes improving the deteriorated and often dangerous condition of creches and preschools in the community and ensuring physical safety for young children on the journey from home to school.

The project includes the distribution of pamphlets to early childhood center staff and community parents on the importance of conversing every day even to very young children, the vital role play should take in children’s lives, and letting them to being outside the home in the fresh air. The campaign also aims to help center staff interact effectively with parents and caregivers.

The campaign which kicked off with a community meeting with residents and local representatives of child oriented organizations, also includes a period of activities including the distribution of pamphlets, information folders, a campaign jingle, and a blitz on local media.

CIESPI is most grateful to the Bernard van Leer Foundation for its support of this and other early childhood activities.

Click here to access the campaign materials:

Jingle, flyers and folders