Fundación Navarro Viola expands early childhood support program across Argentina

Fundación Navarro Viola expanded its Primera Infancia Primero (PIP) program to reach more families in Argentina over a decade.

The organization began the initiative in 2016 in Las Lomitas, Formosa, with 23 families and a small team of facilitators including teachers, a music teacher, and a nurse. The program provides home visits to support parents in developing their children's early childhood skills.

The foundation works by training local residents, such as neighbors or health promoters, to visit homes and teach parents how to interact with their children. The organization says that the program focuses on strengthening the bond between adults and children, providing parents with the time and tools to play and engage with their kids. This approach helps families overcome barriers created by poverty or personal history. Since 2018, the foundation has partnered with local municipalities to scale the program.

While the foundation provides the methodology, training, and materials, the local government provides the staff and space. This collaboration has increased the program from one edition in 2016 to 35 active editions this year. The foundation reports that the program has reached more than 7,000 families and employed about 1,800 facilitators across 38 partners in seven provinces.