How Early Childhood Education Shapes Development in Children with Disabilities
By Man San Huai, Technical Advisor Education (PQD) at World Vision Myanmar
The Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project in Tha Di Kho village is part of World Vision Myanmar’s ongoing efforts to provide educational opportunities for children in remote areas, particularly those impacted by poverty and limited access to schooling. This project has brought early childhood education (ECE) sessions to the community, with a focus on helping children develop literacy skills and build self-confidence.
The Tha Di Kho ECE programme began in 2023 and provides a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for children like Naw Win. The programme is especially valuable for families like hers, where financial constraints often limit educational opportunities. Through the ECW project, Naw Win and other children in the village are able to attend these sessions free of charge.
Naw Win actively participates in an Early Childhood Education (ECE) activity, enjoying a fun and engaging learning experience
Naw Win, a 5-year-old child with speech difficulties, lives in Tha Di Kho village in Hlaing Bwe Township, Myanmar. Her family relies on farming for their livelihood and has limited financial resources, which made it difficult to prioritize education. When the World Vision Myanmar Education Cannot Wait (ECW) project was introduced in 2023, Naw Win was enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) sessions.
At first, Naw Win struggled to engage with her peers and often preferred isolating herself, avoiding group activities like singing and storytelling. However, with the support of the village volunteer teacher and encouragement from her family, Naw Win began to show interest and gradually participated in group activities. Her confidence grew as she started to sing songs, draw pictures, and assist others during the sessions.
Though Naw Win still faces speech challenges, she has become more confident in communicating and expressing herself. She now shares what she learns with her mother, a significant improvement. Naw Win’s transformation is a powerful example of how the ECW project is helping children overcome obstacles and thrive in a supportive learning environment.
We were struggling financially, and it was hard to focus on education. But with the Education Cannot Wait project, my daughter has learned so much. I’m so thankful for this opportunity. It has made a big difference for our family - says Daw Naw Sein Myint - Naw's mother
In addition to training, the project provides essential resources, such as educational kits and storybooks, enabling children like Naw Win to continue learning despite their families’ financial struggles.
Watching Naw Win grow in confidence has been incredibly rewarding. She has become more social, participates in group activities, and even helps others. It’s a joy to see her progress. Her transformation shows that the ECW project is making a real impact - Village Educator - Shee Wah Paw