Primeira Infância Melhor: uma inovação em política pública

Abstract

This book aims at presenting the Primeira Infancia Melhor Program (Better Early Childhood Program) - PIM, launched in April of 2003 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. PIM is one of the most important public policies of the state and works towards early childhood holistic development. This publication starts by discussing the importance of investing in the early years, based on the childhood scenario in Brazil and on the contributions of sciences about the relevance of the early years for child development. The program is then presented by discussing its theoretical assumptions, structuring axes and service modalities. Five experiences in different municipalities are reported, as well as the PIM in Diversity project, the program's development since its beginning, UNESCO's technical cooperation, Cuban Centro de Referencia Latinoamericano para la Educación Preescolar - CELEP's assistance, UNICEF's support, and the parallel advocacy activities about early childhood up to the moment of passing it as a bill that institutes PIM as a permanent public policy giving total attention to early childhood in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The program's experience has demonstrated that it is not only possible, but also desirable to mobilize head people and society in the implementation of public policies towards early childhood. This benefits the children's cognitive, psychic and social development, the improvement of bonds within a family and with the community where they are inserted, and the promotion of citizenship and social participation, which contributes to the growth of the nation.