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significant. Almost 4% of children living in the wealthiest households attend pre-school,
while the figure drops to 0.2% in the poorest households. The most significant background
characteristics determining difference in children attending early childhood education is
found in the mother s education level. For instance, pre-school attendance is 9% among the
children of mothers with secondary education or higher, compared with less than 1% for
the children of mothers with no education.
Adults Engaging in Activities with Children
It is well recognized that a period of rapid brain development occurs in the first three to
four years of life, and the quality of home care is the major determinant of the child s
development during this period. In this context, adult activities with children, the presence
of books in the home for the child, and the conditions of care are important indicators of
the quality of home care. Children should be physically healthy, mentally alert, emotionally
secure, socially competent and ready to learn.
Information on a number of activities that support early learning was collected in the survey.
These included the involvement of adults with children in the following activities: reading
books or looking at picture books; telling stories; singing songs; taking children outside the
home, compound or yard; playing with children; and spending time with children naming,
counting, or drawing things.
Table 9.2: Support for learning
Percentage of children age 36-59 months with whom an adult household member engaged in activities that promote learning and
school readiness during the last three days, Afghanistan, 2010-2011
Sex
Percentage of children
age 36-59 months
With whom
adult With whom
household the father
members engaged in
engaged in one or more
four or more activities 2
activities 1
Mean number of activities
Any adult
household
member
engaged with
the child
The father
engaged with
the child
Percentage of
children not
living with
their
biological
father
Number of
children age
36-59
months
Male 73.6 63.3 4.2 1.1 2.1 3,547
Female 72.7 60.2 4.2 1.1 1.9 3,364
Region
Central 75.6 58.2 4.4 1.0 2.4 961
Central Highlands 80.6 46.2 4.6 0.8 6.0 223
East 77.3 67.2 4.4 1.1 1.2 820
North 77.4 57.2 4.3 0.9 2.2 948
North East 69.3 54.3 4.1 0.8 3.0 1,132
South 75.5 74.3 4.3 1.8 1.3 1,023
South East 61.5 73.8 3.7 1.3 1.1 1,018
West 75.9 49.4 4.1 0.8 1.4 785
Residence
Age
Urban 80.1 61.7 4.7 1.1 3.1 1,007
Rural 71.9 61.8 4.1 1.1 1.8 5,904
36-47 months 71.8 61.1 4.1 1.0 1.6 3,438
48-59 months 74.5 62.5 4.3 1.2 2.4 3,474
Mother's education*
None 72.0 61.7 4.2 1.1 1.9 6,407
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