Geeta Chopra

Systems Approach to Early Childhood Development: Bridging Theory, Policy and Practice offers a comprehensive and compelling, evidence-based roadmap for strengthening development in early childhood years. Drawing on neuroscience, developmental psychology, inclusion and laws for children, the book presents the interaction and influence of each other within a broader ecosystem. The book is a coming together of four decades of academic, research, policy and field experience of the author, and it bridges the gap between knowledge and action. It is spread across eight chapters covering early development, developmentally appropriate activities, parenting, disability, child protection, and more. The book addresses the most urgent questions in ECD today: How can all aspects that impact the developing child be encapsulated in a single volume? How do we ensure no child is left behind—especially those with disabilities or facing adversity? With a strong emphasis on how nurturing care and emotional safety shape brain development and social outcomes, the book illustrates why investing in early years is not only a moral imperative—but a national strategy. Grounded in India’s ECCE landscape drawing from NEP 2020, it aligns with global frameworks like UNCRPD and UNCRC, this book is an essential resource for educators, researchers, students, policymakers, practitioners, parents and anyone committed to building inclusive, resilient and integrated approach for all children.

The book is a comprehensive compendium on child rights in India from a child development perspective. It discusses the challenges that Indian children face for survival, development and education, especially if they are marginalized through disability, lack of care, and poverty. The major issues expounded by the author in relation to rights are infant and child survival, early child development, street and working children, children in conflict with law, children with disabilities, child trafficking and child sexual abuse. The author goes further to delve into the causes, among which are high population, poverty, migration, illiteracy, poor legislation and deep-rooted social norms and behaviour. The book presents the existing policy and legal framework in India for each of these issues. The broad purpose of the book is to comprehensively discuss the roadblocks that the marginalized child in India faces, to understand the causes of these roadblocks and to evaluate government and civil society action for children in India.

The book is a comprehensive compendium on child rights in India from a child development perspective. It discusses the challenges that Indian children face for survival, development and education, especially if they are marginalized through disability, lack of care, and poverty. The major issues expounded by the author in relation to rights are infant and child survival, early child development, street and working children, children in conflict with law, children with disabilities, child trafficking and child sexual abuse. The author goes further to delve into the causes, among which are high population, poverty, migration, illiteracy, poor legislation and deep-rooted social norms and behaviour. The book presents the existing policy and legal framework in India for each of these issues. The broad purpose of the book is to comprehensively discuss the roadblocks that the marginalized child in India faces, to understand the causes of these roadblocks and to evaluate government and civil society action for children in India.