Building Brains - Unclose Path to Sustainable Development for Children

	Save the Children - 35 Years of Nurturing Brighter Future for Vietnamese Children
	Save the Children Provides Disaster Response Solutions to Children and Communities

Change the perception of child care workers

“Thank you, teachers, for allowing me to participate in the project's parent club activities. Here, I can share the challenges of caring for and raising children, especially when my wife is away from home. In the past, I often gave my phone to my child to keep him still, so I would not have to carry him. Later, I realized that what I did was not right, I came to understand that playing with my child is very important and a great source of happiness for parents,” shared Son, a child care worker, during a group activity on “Building Brains for Children from 0 to 3 Years Old.”

Established on the social network Facebook in 2021, the group “Building Brains for Children from 0 to 3 Years Old” has created an online space for teachers, medical staff, and child care workers to exchange and share experiences in raising young children. Browsing through the group’s discussions, it’s easy to find posts and images sharing information, knowledge, and caregiving skills, from tips on “What to do when your child is fussy?” to videos demonstrating games and educational activities for children. Under each post and video, parents actively comment and share their own experiences in applying the suggested methods with their children at home.

The District-level Summer Camp Program - "Building Brains" was held at Tan Thinh Kindergarten, Tan Thinh Commune (Van Chan, Yen Bai) on June 25, 2022. (Photo: SC)

This activity is part of the project “Developing Intelligence for a Bright Future,” implemented by Save the Children (SC) in collaboration with the Department of Education and Training and the Medical Center of Van Chan District, Yen Bai Province, to locally deploy the “Building Brains” method.

The “Building Brains” method is a preschool education initiative developed by SC’s global education experts in partnership with leading early childhood education researchers from international institutions over the past 10 years. It has been successfully applied in nearly 30 countries worldwide. The method focuses on enhancing the skills and knowledge of child care workers and service providers, including teachers, health workers, and child protection officers, to ensure that children aged 0 to 3 are nurtured and educated in a way that supports their full developmental potential. SC Vietnam is among the pioneers in piloting all components of this method related to both education and health, achieving highly encouraging results.

In Yen Bai, from 2020 to 2022, the project was implemented in five communes of Van Chan District through the local partner agency, the Department of Education and Training of Van Chan District. Direct beneficiaries included 900 children under the age of three; 900 caregivers, including 150 men; 180 preschool teachers and primary health care workers; and 150 community members.

Nguyen Dinh Lien, Director of the Van Chan District Medical Center, shared: “Save the Children has supported and helped us strengthen the capacity and practical skills of our medical and educational staff, thereby improving the effectiveness of our professional work. In particular, the Building Brains method supports children in developing physically, mentally, intellectually, and socially in a comprehensive way.”

After three years of implementation, the average child development index score rose from 49.7 in the initial survey to 51.3 in the final survey. Notably, in the final assessment, children whose caregivers were members of the parent club had a higher average development index score than those whose caregivers were not (52.2 compared to 49.8). The children’s social skills also showed marked improvement, they were happier, more active, and better integrated into their environments.

On October 22-23, 2022, the Project Summary Workshop "Developing Intelligence for a Bright Future" co-organized by the People's Committee of Van Chan District and Save the Children, took place in Yen Bai City. (Photo: SC)

After participating in the program, the proportion of caregivers who regularly interacted with their children through play and positive communication increased to 60%, compared to about 30% before joining. Additionally, 75% of caregivers reported feeling more confident in meeting their children's emotional needs, up from 40% prior to participation. Families that consistently applied the “Building Brains” method saw a 25% increase in the rate of children achieving standard language and cognitive development indicators compared to the control group. Caregivers also experienced a 30% reduction in stress levels during child care, thanks to improved understanding and better coping skills when facing challenges in raising young children. These figures clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in enhancing caregiving behaviors and fostering a healthy developmental environment for children, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

Following its implementation in Yen Bai, the project continued with the aim of diversifying guidance materials to support the method’s application in other localities. Within the framework of cooperation between Save the Children and the Department of Education and Training of Da Nang, the project has brought positive impacts to more than 600 preschool-aged children across 10 private preschools and independent classes in the city.

Lay the foundation for children's future development

According to Le Thi Thuy Duong, Program Director at Save the Children, while not a completely new solution, the organization’s Building Brains method offers a distinctive and comprehensive approach to child care, particularly for children aged 0 to 3. Save the Children focuses on this crucial early stage of development, with core interventions centered on “responsive care” and “encouraging brain development.” The method equips caregivers with essential knowledge and skills for interacting with young children, including guidance on nutrition and child development. In addition, pilot localities are encouraged to adapt the program to their specific contexts, which enhances its effectiveness and fosters stronger community acceptance.

Save the Children’s approach goes beyond parents, aiming to involve other family members in creating a holistic support system for children. The project also prioritizes gender equality and inclusion, encouraging both men and women to participate in caregiving. This helps challenge traditional gender stereotypes, such as the belief that child-rearing is solely a woman’s responsibility. At the same time, the organization places special emphasis on supporting children with disabilities and those in difficult circumstances by organizing screening and early intervention activities. Alongside physical development, the method also nurtures children’s emotional well-being and social skills, ensuring that every child has the best possible opportunity to thrive. For this reason, Save the Children is committed to working closely with local authorities and partners to develop long-term support solutions, ensuring that effective child care and education practices are sustained and replicated in the future.