The Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)—which were
developed and are supported by UNICEF. The MICS yield
household data on relevant indicators selected to track the
world’s progress toward major international goals (e.g., Millen-
nium Development Goals, World Summit for Children goals).Box 3 lists some of the challenges in specifically using the EDI in a
developing country.
Next Steps
Enhancing the investment in early child development is difficult for
governments because the benefits to society—in terms of popula-
tions’ health and competence—will not be realized for 20–25 years.
The EDI instrument yields a rough estimate of child development
and the trajectories for health, learning, and behavior through adult-
hood. Demonstrated improvements in EDI assessments of child de-
velopment are an indication of improvements to come in adult
health and behavior.
Governments that support programs to enhance early child devel-
opment could point to improved EDI outcomes as a main rationale
for investing in ECD programs and for taking this necessary step to
improve the quality of the future population.
284 J. Fraser Mustard and Mary Eming Young
Box 3. Challenges in Using the Early Development
Instrument in Developing Countries- Need access to primary teacher of children at age 5 years
- Age of 5 years may be too late
- Need to fit with household surveys (e.g., DHS, MICS)
- Content of the ECD domains may vary among countries
- Need organization to coordinate and synthesize population-
based data - Need skill in mapping—to yield the best data
- Need to guard against using the instrument to deny school
entry.