What we are reading...

This is a video about the importance of everyday interactions playing, talking, singing, and reading between caregivers and young children. These simple activities help stimulate early brain development, supporting children’s cognitive, language, social, and emotional growth during critical early years. Research shows that encouraging caregivers to engage regularly in these interactions leads to better developmental outcomes for children, especially in disadvantaged contexts.

This is a video about the importance of everyday interactions playing, talking, singing, and reading between caregivers and young children. These simple activities help stimulate early brain development, supporting children’s cognitive, language, social, and emotional growth during critical early years. Research shows that encouraging caregivers to engage regularly in these interactions leads to better developmental outcomes for children, especially in disadvantaged contexts.

The Western Cape Government launched Khulisa Care, a pilot program to combat child stunting and support maternal nutrition. It provides protein-rich food vouchers, healthcare, and community health worker support to underweight pregnant women and mothers of low-birth-weight babies, with partners including Grow Great, DG Murray Trust, Shoprite, Mireille Wenger, and Alan Winde

The Western Cape Government launched Khulisa Care, a pilot program to combat child stunting and support maternal nutrition. It provides protein-rich food vouchers, healthcare, and community health worker support to underweight pregnant women and mothers of low-birth-weight babies, with partners including Grow Great, DG Murray Trust, Shoprite, Mireille Wenger, and Alan Winde

This study describes the co-design of a father-inclusive parenting intervention for couples with young children in Tanzania. It highlights engaging fathers in early childhood care, promoting shared parenting responsibilities, and improving child and family mental health outcomes.

This study describes the co-design of a father-inclusive parenting intervention for couples with young children in Tanzania. It highlights engaging fathers in early childhood care, promoting shared parenting responsibilities, and improving child and family mental health outcomes.

This report explores how early childhood development (ECD) programme benefits change over time. It reviews global and local research on why short-term gains from preschool can diminish (“fade out”) by around Grade 3, and what programme quality, timing, and supportive education systems help sustain long-term learning advantages. It highlights that strong primary schooling and well-designed ECD can reduce fade-out.

This report explores how early childhood development (ECD) programme benefits change over time. It reviews global and local research on why short-term gains from preschool can diminish (“fade out”) by around Grade 3, and what programme quality, timing, and supportive education systems help sustain long-term learning advantages. It highlights that strong primary schooling and well-designed ECD can reduce fade-out.

This publication outlines key principles for designing and implementing effective parenting programmes that support nurturing care in early childhood. It discusses the role of such programmes in improving child development outcomes, essential components (e.g., content, delivery, caregiver engagement), measurement and monitoring, and policy implications for scaling interventions that strengthen family and community support systems globally.

This publication outlines key principles for designing and implementing effective parenting programmes that support nurturing care in early childhood. It discusses the role of such programmes in improving child development outcomes, essential components (e.g., content, delivery, caregiver engagement), measurement and monitoring, and policy implications for scaling interventions that strengthen family and community support systems globally.

This research evaluates a district‑level paediatric hearing screening initiative in the Western Cape, South Africa, assessing screening referrals and outcomes from community settings compared with central tertiary services. The intervention showed increased attendance and reduced barriers such as travel distance to initial hearing screening for children, demonstrating that decentralised, community‑based screening within district healthcare can improve access and early identification of hearing issues for underserved populations.

This research evaluates a district‑level paediatric hearing screening initiative in the Western Cape, South Africa, assessing screening referrals and outcomes from community settings compared with central tertiary services. The intervention showed increased attendance and reduced barriers such as travel distance to initial hearing screening for children, demonstrating that decentralised, community‑based screening within district healthcare can improve access and early identification of hearing issues for underserved populations.

This is a clinical research article describing hearing loss among children under six years in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Using retrospective hospital data, the study characterises the types, severity, diagnoses ages and associated risk factors for childhood hearing loss, highlighting local patterns and implications for early detection and intervention services.

This is a clinical research article describing hearing loss among children under six years in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Using retrospective hospital data, the study characterises the types, severity, diagnoses ages and associated risk factors for childhood hearing loss, highlighting local patterns and implications for early detection and intervention services.

This case-based report shows how small, data-informed adjustments in early learning programmes can significantly boost young children’s developmental outcomes. It highlights nine key conditions for scaling improvements, the role of reliable data (ELOM), practitioner support, collaboration, timely feedback, sustainable funding, and real-world South African examples

This case-based report shows how small, data-informed adjustments in early learning programmes can significantly boost young children’s developmental outcomes. It highlights nine key conditions for scaling improvements, the role of reliable data (ELOM), practitioner support, collaboration, timely feedback, sustainable funding, and real-world South African examples

This is an analytical report examining how child predation and sexual exploitation narratives are spreading on South African social media. It finds troubling trends like the normalisation of adult‑minor sexual relations, coded grooming language, proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and online discourse that blames victims or trivialises exploitation. The report highlights urgent needs for stronger platform accountability, law enforcement action and public awareness to protect children online.

This is an analytical report examining how child predation and sexual exploitation narratives are spreading on South African social media. It finds troubling trends like the normalisation of adult‑minor sexual relations, coded grooming language, proliferation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and online discourse that blames victims or trivialises exploitation. The report highlights urgent needs for stronger platform accountability, law enforcement action and public awareness to protect children online.

This is a guidance document that helps governments, health systems and partners apply a life course approach to health and well-being. The framework summarises evidence and global examples showing how health determinants, protective and risk factors interact across critical periods of life, and outlines steps to reorient policies and primary health care to improve equitable health trajectories from early life through adulthood.

This is a guidance document that helps governments, health systems and partners apply a life course approach to health and well-being. The framework summarises evidence and global examples showing how health determinants, protective and risk factors interact across critical periods of life, and outlines steps to reorient policies and primary health care to improve equitable health trajectories from early life through adulthood.

This is a 2025 UNICEF global report on progress in parenting and early childhood development. It highlights how supporting parents with strong policies, services and programmes enables nurturing care that promotes children’s health, learning and well‑being. The report reviews progress, challenges and offers recommendations to strengthen parenting support worldwide.

This is a 2025 UNICEF global report on progress in parenting and early childhood development. It highlights how supporting parents with strong policies, services and programmes enables nurturing care that promotes children’s health, learning and well‑being. The report reviews progress, challenges and offers recommendations to strengthen parenting support worldwide.

This is a qualitative study assessing a codesigned package of strategies to introduce multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women in Bamako, Mali. It found that both women and health providers found the intervention acceptable, with counselling materials and visual aids encouraging uptake, and family members influencing women’s MMS decisions.

This is a qualitative study assessing a codesigned package of strategies to introduce multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women in Bamako, Mali. It found that both women and health providers found the intervention acceptable, with counselling materials and visual aids encouraging uptake, and family members influencing women’s MMS decisions.

This article discusses how South African men are actively involved in caregiving, often as social fathers (uncles, grandfathers, stepfathers or mentors) even where public policy still assumes caregiving is a maternal role. It argues for recognising and supporting diverse fathering roles, updating policies and services to be father‑inclusive, and moving beyond outdated assumptions about father absence and breadwinning toward shared, nurturing care.

This article discusses how South African men are actively involved in caregiving, often as social fathers (uncles, grandfathers, stepfathers or mentors) even where public policy still assumes caregiving is a maternal role. It argues for recognising and supporting diverse fathering roles, updating policies and services to be father‑inclusive, and moving beyond outdated assumptions about father absence and breadwinning toward shared, nurturing care.

This study tracked children’s brain development from infancy to early school age using repeated MRI scans and measured literacy‑related skills like phonological processing and later reading. It found that individual patterns of early brain growth in regions important for language were linked directly to phonological skills and indirectly to decoding and word‑reading ability. This suggests that the neural foundations for reading begin developing before birth and continue refining through early childhood, highlighting the importance of early brain trajectories for later literacy acquisition.

This study tracked children’s brain development from infancy to early school age using repeated MRI scans and measured literacy‑related skills like phonological processing and later reading. It found that individual patterns of early brain growth in regions important for language were linked directly to phonological skills and indirectly to decoding and word‑reading ability. This suggests that the neural foundations for reading begin developing before birth and continue refining through early childhood, highlighting the importance of early brain trajectories for later literacy acquisition.

This article examines the high global burden of morbidity and mortality among small and vulnerable newborns (including preterm and low-birthweight infants) and highlights opportunities to improve survival and long-term outcomes. It synthesizes evidence on risk factors, interventions, and policy priorities to reduce preventable newborn deaths and disabilities.

This article examines the high global burden of morbidity and mortality among small and vulnerable newborns (including preterm and low-birthweight infants) and highlights opportunities to improve survival and long-term outcomes. It synthesizes evidence on risk factors, interventions, and policy priorities to reduce preventable newborn deaths and disabilities.

This review summarises proven antenatal and intrapartum interventions (like multiple micronutrient supplementation, balanced protein energy supplements, low‑dose aspirin, malaria prevention, and treatment of infections) shown to reduce preterm, small‑for‑gestational‑age and low‑birthweight births. It estimates that scaling up these interventions in low‑ and middle‑income countries could prevent millions of vulnerable births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, helping achieve global mortality and low‑birthweight reduction targets.

This review summarises proven antenatal and intrapartum interventions (like multiple micronutrient supplementation, balanced protein energy supplements, low‑dose aspirin, malaria prevention, and treatment of infections) shown to reduce preterm, small‑for‑gestational‑age and low‑birthweight births. It estimates that scaling up these interventions in low‑ and middle‑income countries could prevent millions of vulnerable births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths, helping achieve global mortality and low‑birthweight reduction targets.

Children’s hearing and vision are essential for learning and development. It is recommended that they have their ears and eyes checked annually. If you notice any concerns with a child’s hearing or sight, please ensure they are referred to a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation.

Children’s hearing and vision are essential for learning and development. It is recommended that they have their ears and eyes checked annually. If you notice any concerns with a child’s hearing or sight, please ensure they are referred to a healthcare professional promptly for evaluation.

This study identifies “development accelerators” services such as HIV prevention, violence reduction, sexual and reproductive health support, and education access that concurrently improve multiple health and wellbeing outcomes for adolescent mothers in South Africa. Using longitudinal data, it highlights how expanding effective, integrated interventions can reduce risks and promote better health, schooling, and safety for adolescent mothers and their children.

This study identifies “development accelerators” services such as HIV prevention, violence reduction, sexual and reproductive health support, and education access that concurrently improve multiple health and wellbeing outcomes for adolescent mothers in South Africa. Using longitudinal data, it highlights how expanding effective, integrated interventions can reduce risks and promote better health, schooling, and safety for adolescent mothers and their children.

This is a a narrative review of South African laws and policies that affect early support for children with hearing loss from birth to age six. It examines national frameworks related to early childhood development, intervention, and education, highlighting gaps, limited implementation, and the need for mandated early hearing detection and cross‑sector coordination to improve timely services and outcomes.

This is a a narrative review of South African laws and policies that affect early support for children with hearing loss from birth to age six. It examines national frameworks related to early childhood development, intervention, and education, highlighting gaps, limited implementation, and the need for mandated early hearing detection and cross‑sector coordination to improve timely services and outcomes.

This journal article systematically reviews randomised controlled trials of dietary interventions for pregnant women. It identifies which behavior change techniques (like goal‑setting and rewards) and intervention features (such as delivery by nutrition professionals or group sessions) are most effective at improving diet quality during pregnancy. The analysis shows that some techniques significantly improve mothers’ dietary intake, with implications for designing better antenatal nutritional programs.

This journal article systematically reviews randomised controlled trials of dietary interventions for pregnant women. It identifies which behavior change techniques (like goal‑setting and rewards) and intervention features (such as delivery by nutrition professionals or group sessions) are most effective at improving diet quality during pregnancy. The analysis shows that some techniques significantly improve mothers’ dietary intake, with implications for designing better antenatal nutritional programs.

The Hold My Hand Webinar Series opens a welcoming space for meaningful conversations, shared learning, and bold ideas that inspire action. This session shines a spotlight on young leaders as they step forward, share their voices, and shape important discussions, setting the tone for collaboration, innovation, and positive change.

The Hold My Hand Webinar Series opens a welcoming space for meaningful conversations, shared learning, and bold ideas that inspire action. This session shines a spotlight on young leaders as they step forward, share their voices, and shape important discussions, setting the tone for collaboration, innovation, and positive change.

This 60‑minute webinar highlights the critical role of iron in maternal and child health, addressing its impact on brain development, physical growth, and overall wellbeing. Targeted at NGOs, health professionals, and policymakers, it shares practical tools to integrate iron interventions into programs. Speakers include experts from Stellenbosch University and UCT, and the session is moderated by Hold My Hand’s Strategy Lead, Dr. Noxolo Gqada.

This 60‑minute webinar highlights the critical role of iron in maternal and child health, addressing its impact on brain development, physical growth, and overall wellbeing. Targeted at NGOs, health professionals, and policymakers, it shares practical tools to integrate iron interventions into programs. Speakers include experts from Stellenbosch University and UCT, and the session is moderated by Hold My Hand’s Strategy Lead, Dr. Noxolo Gqada.

This study in Cambodia compared how well pregnant women adhered to and accepted standard iron‑folic acid supplements versus multiple micronutrient supplements. Using a cluster‑randomized noninferiority trial, it evaluated whether the broader micronutrient regimen was at least as acceptable and adhered to as the traditional iron and folic acid, informing efforts to improve maternal nutrition interventions.

This study in Cambodia compared how well pregnant women adhered to and accepted standard iron‑folic acid supplements versus multiple micronutrient supplements. Using a cluster‑randomized noninferiority trial, it evaluated whether the broader micronutrient regimen was at least as acceptable and adhered to as the traditional iron and folic acid, informing efforts to improve maternal nutrition interventions.

This article explores how everyday experiences shape adolescent brain development. Activities such as conversation, singing, reading, and proper nutrition strengthen memory, creativity, and cognitive function. It also highlights how African storytelling and music enrich neural growth, emphasizing the powerful role of supportive communities in unlocking young people’s potential.

This article explores how everyday experiences shape adolescent brain development. Activities such as conversation, singing, reading, and proper nutrition strengthen memory, creativity, and cognitive function. It also highlights how African storytelling and music enrich neural growth, emphasizing the powerful role of supportive communities in unlocking young people’s potential.

This scoping review maps and characterises alcohol harm reduction (AHR) interventions studied in North America, Europe and Australia from 2011–2022. It identifies diverse strategies psychological support, socio‑economic assistance, care system coordination, skills learning and peer support and notes many reported reductions in alcohol harms, consumption or risky behaviour. The review also discusses facilitators and barriers influencing intervention effectiveness and highlights the importance of accessible, culturally adapted AHR approaches.

This scoping review maps and characterises alcohol harm reduction (AHR) interventions studied in North America, Europe and Australia from 2011–2022. It identifies diverse strategies psychological support, socio‑economic assistance, care system coordination, skills learning and peer support and notes many reported reductions in alcohol harms, consumption or risky behaviour. The review also discusses facilitators and barriers influencing intervention effectiveness and highlights the importance of accessible, culturally adapted AHR approaches.

An opinion piece arguing that South Africa’s high childhood stunting rate harms both child development and the economy, and outlines five strategies including cheaper proteins, better food fortification, maternal support, growth monitoring, and limiting unhealthy food advertising to improve nutrition and growth.

An opinion piece arguing that South Africa’s high childhood stunting rate harms both child development and the economy, and outlines five strategies including cheaper proteins, better food fortification, maternal support, growth monitoring, and limiting unhealthy food advertising to improve nutrition and growth.

This policy brief highlights gaps in maternal protection in South Africa and advocates for a Maternal Support Grant. The grant would improve prenatal nutrition, reduce child stunting, and strengthen early childhood development outcomes, ensuring healthier futures for both mothers and children.

This policy brief highlights gaps in maternal protection in South Africa and advocates for a Maternal Support Grant. The grant would improve prenatal nutrition, reduce child stunting, and strengthen early childhood development outcomes, ensuring healthier futures for both mothers and children.

This policy brief highlights how heavy alcohol use in South Africa fuels violence, trauma, neglect and risk to children and teenagers. It explains how alcohol harms extend beyond the drinker to impact family safety, development and wellbeing, and calls for urgent action including regulation, community interventions and protective policies to reduce alcohol‑related harm to young lives.

This policy brief highlights how heavy alcohol use in South Africa fuels violence, trauma, neglect and risk to children and teenagers. It explains how alcohol harms extend beyond the drinker to impact family safety, development and wellbeing, and calls for urgent action including regulation, community interventions and protective policies to reduce alcohol‑related harm to young lives.

Brain development is most rapid and sensitive between birth and age three. It's in this window that everyday moments, talking, playing, responding to a baby's cues, build the neural foundations for memory, attention and emotional regulation. Get this right, and you set a child up for life. Miss it, and developmental gaps become embedded long before they ever enter a classroom.

Brain development is most rapid and sensitive between birth and age three. It's in this window that everyday moments, talking, playing, responding to a baby's cues, build the neural foundations for memory, attention and emotional regulation. Get this right, and you set a child up for life. Miss it, and developmental gaps become embedded long before they ever enter a classroom.

This report is in support of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) and presents major social and economic opportunities. Urgent focus is needed to prevent regression by addressing high child poverty, persistent malnutrition, and inadequate child protection. The strategy outlines ten key priorities and interventions to fast-track improved outcomes for children and adolescents nationwide.

This report is in support of the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children (NSAAC) and presents major social and economic opportunities. Urgent focus is needed to prevent regression by addressing high child poverty, persistent malnutrition, and inadequate child protection. The strategy outlines ten key priorities and interventions to fast-track improved outcomes for children and adolescents nationwide.