Dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of adequate conditions for children's development from the earliest years of life, Green August promotes a campaign that seeks to mobilize society, governments, and political leaders to focus their attention and public policies on early childhood – a phase that lasts from birth to six years of age and is decisive for the future of children.
Studies show that experiences during this stage directly influence learning performance, health, behavior, and other opportunities throughout life. Investing in early childhood ensures the rights of many and prioritizes well-being in society.
About the campaign
The month of mobilization was born with the idea of promoting visibility for early childhood issues, encouraging the creation of integrated public policies that ensure the rights and full development of babies and young children.
It is a time to reinforce commitments set out in the Legal Framework for Early Childhood (Law No. 13,257/2016), which establishes principles and guidelines so that the State and society guarantee the right to integral development of children.
Early childhood as a priority
According to the Ministry of Health, it is during the first six years of life that brain development reaches its greatest magnitude, acquiring motor, cognitive, and social skills, in addition to the emotional bonds that shape the child's personality.
Ensuring the best conditions in this "window of opportunity" can trigger greater development opportunities in several areas. It's a continuous process, shaped by positive and negative experiences shared with the support network. Protection can reduce cases of domestic violence, neglect, and malnutrition—challenges that directly affect children's development.
The report “State of the World's Children 2024UNICEF's "The Global Impact of Climate Change," warns that crises like climate change, online risks, and digital inequality threaten decades of progress for children, especially girls. Vulnerability to climate impacts is also an issue and varies according to age, health, socioeconomic background, and access to essential resources such as safe shelter, clean water, and education. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence offer opportunities, but also risks, in a scenario marked by a strong digital divide—with 95% of the population connected in rich countries compared to only 26% in poor countries. To ensure a better future by 2050, the document advocates urgent actions: expanding climate resilience, investing in education, services, and sustainable cities, and ensuring connectivity and safe technologies for all children.
However, the term “early childhood” and the importance of this phase are not clear to everyone. According to research data,Panorama of Early Childhood”, carried out by the Maria Cecília Vidigal Foundation, there is a challenge regarding understanding the importance of this phase – 42% of the Brazilian population does not know what “early childhood” means and only 2% correctly identifies this phase.
Lack of knowledge hinders social pressure for appropriate policies, given that 18.1 million (55%) Brazilian children between the ages of 0 and 6 live in low-income families, mostly headed by single mothers. Furthermore, approximately 670,000 children live in extreme poverty.
Public policies and examples of positive impact
Earlier this month, Brazil took an important step with the launch of the National Integrated Policy for Early Childhood (PNIPI), which combines health, education, social assistance, and public safety for comprehensive and coordinated care. Planned actions include the creation of a national database, the unification of information in the Child's Handbook, and direct communication with families to ensure follow-up on vaccinations, appointments, school enrollment, and other essential services.
States and municipalities also have notable initiatives, such as the Primeira Infância Melhor (PIM) Program, a pioneer in Rio Grande do Sul, which offers home visits and support to families.
In addition, the Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation, which has been working for the cause of early childhood for more than six decades, launched the series Early Childhood in the Municipality, a set of six practical guides developed with experts and partners to support public managers in developing policies that prioritize young children.
The initiative reinforces that investing in healthcare, quality early childhood education, and programs that strengthen the bond between caregivers and children is essential to ensuring a better future. Focusing on areas such as planning, budgeting, parenting, anti-racism, and public safety, the materials offer concrete guidance for local governments to implement effective and integrated actions, in collaboration with various national and international institutions.
Faced with global challenges such as climate crises, digital exclusion, and social inequality, it is urgent to place early childhood care at the center of the public and social agenda. Mayors, city councilors, and parliamentarians play a strategic role in implementing public policies for early childhood. The actions of these leaders, combined with an informed and engaged population, are what ensures that the agenda leaves the drawing board and transforms into concrete results.
