The Child Development Experts (CDEs) we are placing in every province in China as the Rainbow Program rolls out teach institution staff not only about the importance of nurturing and responsive practices, but also about how to incorporate those practices into the daily lives of the children.

Han Guangshun, the CDE for Henan province, says trained caregivers learn to understand the value of including children in conversations at mealtimes, using simple vocabulary to describe what’s happening during bathing or dressing, and responding promptly and speaking softly to crying children.  One Henan caregiver said, “This is not making my work more complicated.  I can do this!  I just have to think more consciously about including this in my daily work.” 

It sounds simple, but these additions to a child’s life (that are taken for granted in loving families) are crucial for the healthy development of institutionalized children.