Penny Holding
Dados Biográficos
| ID | 165766 |
|---|---|
| NOME | Penny Holding |
| PRENOMES | Penny |
| SOBRENOME | Holding |
| ASSINATURA | HOLDING P |
| AFILIAÇÕES | Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4159-9115 |
| VERIFICADO | Sim |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 21 |
| TOTAL DE CITAÇÕES | 9 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 21 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMEIRO ANO DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2007 |
| ANO MAIS RECENTE DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2026 |
| ÍNDICE H | 1 |
Impact of an integrated parenting and nutrition intervention on growth and development in stunted children at 24 months
OBJECTIVES: This paper examines the differential impact of responsive parenting and nutrition interventions on early child development in stunted versus never-stunted children at 24 months of age in rural India. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from Stepping Stones-a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 21 subcentres/clusters allocated to intervention or control group. The intervention comprised home visits, group sessi…
Community engagement in early childhood development intervention trials
Background Delivering Early Childhood Development (ECD) interventions in low-resource settings requires context-sensitive adaptive strategies grounded in community realities. The Stepping Stones Program, implemented in rural central India, sought to improve parenting practices and child development outcomes through structured community engagement. This paper presents the approach, implementation, and program impact, offering insights into buildin…
Longitudinal Associations Between Production and Comprehension of Nouns and Verbs in Kiswahili
Children’s first words are frequently recorded to be nouns, rather than verbs, but data from some languages (notably some Asian and African languages, including Mandarin, Korean, and Ngas) and some methodologies (especially spontaneous speech recordings) suggest that verbs can be represented as early as nouns. Variables that potentially impact early verb knowledge include the structure of the language children are learning and whether it is verb …
Whose child is it? A psychological perspective on responsibility and accountability in decision making on nurturing care in early childhood
In this comment, we examine the implications of decolonization on decision making in childcare (Kgatla, 2018). Self-empowerment as a cornerstone of change, long part of community empowerment, has finally achieved recognition within the literature on global health and nurturing care (Charani et al., 2022; Sharm & Sam-Agudu, 2023). Varied perspectives discuss the global benefits of shifting responsibility in decision making, for humanizing of the l…
Design-redesign, implementation, and evaluation of effectiveness of maternal nutrition and responsive parenting program on child development at 2 years of age from rural India
Background: To promote early childhood development (ECD), we require information not only on what needs to be addressed and on what effects can be achieved but also on effective delivery methods that can be adapted to local context. We describe design, implementation, and evaluation of a complex intervention to strengthen nurturing environment for young children. Methods: Study participants were pregnant women and their children from birth to 2 y…
Rapid-cycle evaluation and learning for the effective delivery of integrated interventions in early childhood in rural India
Background: Effective and real-time data analytics plays an essential role in understanding gaps and improving the quality and coverage of complex public health interventions. Studies of public health information systems identify problems with data quality, such as incomplete records and untimely reporting. Effective data collection and real-time analysis systems for rapid-cycle learning are necessary to monitor public health programs and take ti…
Integrating father involvement into early childhood initiatives delivered at scale
Early child development (ECD) interventions, usually centered around the mother, exclude fathers from contributing to childcare. Research shows that a father’s involvement in childcare can have a positive impact on the child’s growth. In this light, a trial was conducted in rural India wherein a new program component aimed at enhancing fathers’ engagement in early child was incorporated into an existing childcare intervention. The paper highlight…
Realising distributed leadership through measurement for change
Through a systematic reflection on the journey that transformed traditional state-run baby homes in Tajikistan from closed institutions into community-oriented Family and Child Support Centres (FCSC) we reveal key moments of change. This review describes how community consultation with local participants in a development project shifted responsibility and accountability from international to local ownership and how distributed leadership contribu…
Measurement for Change
In this review paper, we explore how on-the-ground Early Childhood Development (ECD) innovators are using monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems to guide the design and implementation of ECD programs, as well as how MEL systems can influence policy and support the achievement of impact at scale. We reflect on articles in the Frontiers series “ Effective delivery of integrated interventions in early childhood: innovations in evidence u…
Effectiveness of family-centered program for enhancing competencies of responsive parenting among caregivers for early childhood development in rural India
BACKGROUND: Responsive parenting constitutes an essential part of the context in which children live and has shown a positive effect on child development in the early years of life. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of family parenting programs for enhancing competencies of responsive parenting among caregivers. STUDY DESIGN: Cluster-RCT in 50 Anganwadi center areas. Twenty-five intervention clusters received responsive parenting…
The Aspirations of Measurement for Change
This Perspective presents the five key aspirations of an approach to data use, decision making and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) in Early Childhood Development (ECD) referred to as Measurement for Change. The core ideas of Measurement for Change gave rise to this series, and many of the papers submitted in this series speak to this approach, whether directly or indirectly. The five aspirations describe interconnected concepts that ad…
Photostory—A “Stepping Stone” Approach to Community Engagement in Early Child Development
Background: Capturing real-life practices through photographs provides an opportunity to create awareness and focus discussions on relevant issues in community. Photographs and narratives also engage decision makers, inspiring changes in policy and practice. Objective: Paper describes development and adaptation of an integrated photostory approach documenting actions and stimulating positive change in Early Child Development (ECD). Methodology: T…
Measurement for Change
Measurement for Change proposes an integration of monitoring, evaluation, and learning into decision-making systems that support sustainable transition of interventions to scale. It was developed using a cyclical, interactive 1-year dialogue between early childhood development (ECD) practitioners and academics from across the globe. Details are presented in Krapels et al. ( 1 ) as part of this special issue in Frontiers. In this paper, we trace t…
Duration of exclusive breastfeeding is a positive predictor of iron status in 6‐ to 10‐month‐old infants in rural Kenya
The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is high in infants in Sub-Saharan Africa. Exclusive breastfeeding of infants to 6 months of age is recommended by the World Health Organization, but breast milk is low in iron. Some studies suggest exclusive breastfeeding, although beneficial for the infant, may increase risk for IDA in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to determine if duration of exclusive breastfeeding is a…
Developmental inventories using illiterate parents as informants
Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs, parent-completed language development checklists) are a helpful tool to assess language in children who are unused to interaction with unfamiliar adults. Generally, CDIs are completed in written form, but in developing country settings parents may have insufficient literacy to complete them alone. We designed CDIs to assess language development in children aged 0;8 to 2;4 in two languages used in Coast…
In‐home fortification with 2.5 mg iron as NaFeEdta does not reduce anaemia but increases weight gain
In-home fortification of infants with micronutrient powders (MNPs) containing 12.5 mg iron may increase morbidity from infections; therefore, an efficacious low-dose iron-containing MNP might be advantageous. Effects of iron-containing MNPs on infant growth are unclear. We assessed the efficacy of a low-iron MNP on iron status and growth and monitored safety in a randomised, controlled, double-blind 1-year trial in 6-month-old infants (n = 287) c…
Determinants of variability in motor performance in middle childhood
The current study provides preliminary evidence of motor performance from a typically developing rural population within an age range that has not been previously studied. As well as being culturally appropriate, the developed tests were reliable, valid and sensitive to biological and environmental correlates. Further, the use of composite scores seems to strengthen the magnitude of differences seen among groups
The Performance of Children Prenatally Exposed to HIV on the A-Not-B Task in Kilifi, Kenya
The aim of the study was to investigate early executive functioning in young children from 6-35 months of age. The study involved 319 randomly selected children from the community, 17 HIV exposed but uninfected children and 31 HIV infected ARV-naive children. A variation of the A-not-B task was used. While there were no group differences in total correct, perseverative errors, nor maximum error run, a significant percentage of children were unabl…
Food Security and Nutritional Outcomes among Urban Poor Orphans in Nairobi, Kenya
The study examines the relationship between orphanhood status and nutritional status and food security among children living in the rapidly growing and uniquely vulnerable slum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was conducted between January and June 2007 among children aged 6-14 years, living in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures and z scores generated using the NCHS/WHO…
Constructing Tests of Cognitive Abilities for Schooled and Unschooled Children
It is frequently necessary to assess children with little or no schooling to determine their level of cognitive functioning, especially in developing countries. It is not possible, however, to assume that assessments will hold equal validity for children with and without the experience of schooling. The authors, therefore, set out to create a battery of tests suitable for both schooled and unschooled children. They assessed 973 schooled and 645 u…
Assessing Developmental Outcomes in Children from Kilifi, Kenya, Following Prophylaxis for Seizures in Cerebral Malaria
The purpose of the study was to develop a culture-informed measure of developmental outcome and to apply it to detect differences in developmental level between children with cerebral malaria enrolled in a clinical trial to control seizures during the acute phase of the illness. The instrument was administered to a sample of 180 children, three and 12 months after discharge from hospital. The measure demonstrated high internal consistency, good i…
Food Security and Nutritional Outcomes among Urban Poor Orphans in Nairobi, Kenya
The study examines the relationship between orphanhood status and nutritional status and food security among children living in the rapidly growing and uniquely vulnerable slum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was conducted between January and June 2007 among children aged 6-14 years, living in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures and z scores generated using the NCHS/WHO…
Constructing Tests of Cognitive Abilities for Schooled and Unschooled Children
It is frequently necessary to assess children with little or no schooling to determine their level of cognitive functioning, especially in developing countries. It is not possible, however, to assume that assessments will hold equal validity for children with and without the experience of schooling. The authors, therefore, set out to create a battery of tests suitable for both schooled and unschooled children. They assessed 973 schooled and 645 u…
Assessing Developmental Outcomes in Children from Kilifi, Kenya, Following Prophylaxis for Seizures in Cerebral Malaria
The purpose of the study was to develop a culture-informed measure of developmental outcome and to apply it to detect differences in developmental level between children with cerebral malaria enrolled in a clinical trial to control seizures during the acute phase of the illness. The instrument was administered to a sample of 180 children, three and 12 months after discharge from hospital. The measure demonstrated high internal consistency, good i…
Assessing Developmental Outcomes in Children from Kilifi, Kenya, Following Prophylaxis for Seizures in Cerebral Malaria
The purpose of the study was to develop a culture-informed measure of developmental outcome and to apply it to detect differences in developmental level between children with cerebral malaria enrolled in a clinical trial to control seizures during the acute phase of the illness. The instrument was administered to a sample of 180 children, three and 12 months after discharge from hospital. The measure demonstrated high internal consistency, good i…
Constructing Tests of Cognitive Abilities for Schooled and Unschooled Children
It is frequently necessary to assess children with little or no schooling to determine their level of cognitive functioning, especially in developing countries. It is not possible, however, to assume that assessments will hold equal validity for children with and without the experience of schooling. The authors, therefore, set out to create a battery of tests suitable for both schooled and unschooled children. They assessed 973 schooled and 645 u…
Food Security and Nutritional Outcomes among Urban Poor Orphans in Nairobi, Kenya
The study examines the relationship between orphanhood status and nutritional status and food security among children living in the rapidly growing and uniquely vulnerable slum settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The study was conducted between January and June 2007 among children aged 6-14 years, living in informal settlements of Nairobi, Kenya. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard procedures and z scores generated using the NCHS/WHO…
Determinants of variability in motor performance in middle childhood
The current study provides preliminary evidence of motor performance from a typically developing rural population within an age range that has not been previously studied. As well as being culturally appropriate, the developed tests were reliable, valid and sensitive to biological and environmental correlates. Further, the use of composite scores seems to strengthen the magnitude of differences seen among groups
The Performance of Children Prenatally Exposed to HIV on the A-Not-B Task in Kilifi, Kenya
The aim of the study was to investigate early executive functioning in young children from 6-35 months of age. The study involved 319 randomly selected children from the community, 17 HIV exposed but uninfected children and 31 HIV infected ARV-naive children. A variation of the A-not-B task was used. While there were no group differences in total correct, perseverative errors, nor maximum error run, a significant percentage of children were unabl…
In‐home fortification with 2.5 mg iron as NaFeEdta does not reduce anaemia but increases weight gain
In-home fortification of infants with micronutrient powders (MNPs) containing 12.5 mg iron may increase morbidity from infections; therefore, an efficacious low-dose iron-containing MNP might be advantageous. Effects of iron-containing MNPs on infant growth are unclear. We assessed the efficacy of a low-iron MNP on iron status and growth and monitored safety in a randomised, controlled, double-blind 1-year trial in 6-month-old infants (n = 287) c…
Developmental inventories using illiterate parents as informants
Communicative Development Inventories (CDIs, parent-completed language development checklists) are a helpful tool to assess language in children who are unused to interaction with unfamiliar adults. Generally, CDIs are completed in written form, but in developing country settings parents may have insufficient literacy to complete them alone. We designed CDIs to assess language development in children aged 0;8 to 2;4 in two languages used in Coast…
Duration of exclusive breastfeeding is a positive predictor of iron status in 6‐ to 10‐month‐old infants in rural Kenya
The prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is high in infants in Sub-Saharan Africa. Exclusive breastfeeding of infants to 6 months of age is recommended by the World Health Organization, but breast milk is low in iron. Some studies suggest exclusive breastfeeding, although beneficial for the infant, may increase risk for IDA in resource-limited settings. The objective of this study was to determine if duration of exclusive breastfeeding is a…
The Aspirations of Measurement for Change
This Perspective presents the five key aspirations of an approach to data use, decision making and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) in Early Childhood Development (ECD) referred to as Measurement for Change. The core ideas of Measurement for Change gave rise to this series, and many of the papers submitted in this series speak to this approach, whether directly or indirectly. The five aspirations describe interconnected concepts that ad…
Photostory—A “Stepping Stone” Approach to Community Engagement in Early Child Development
Background: Capturing real-life practices through photographs provides an opportunity to create awareness and focus discussions on relevant issues in community. Photographs and narratives also engage decision makers, inspiring changes in policy and practice. Objective: Paper describes development and adaptation of an integrated photostory approach documenting actions and stimulating positive change in Early Child Development (ECD). Methodology: T…
Measurement for Change
Measurement for Change proposes an integration of monitoring, evaluation, and learning into decision-making systems that support sustainable transition of interventions to scale. It was developed using a cyclical, interactive 1-year dialogue between early childhood development (ECD) practitioners and academics from across the globe. Details are presented in Krapels et al. ( 1 ) as part of this special issue in Frontiers. In this paper, we trace t…
Effectiveness of family-centered program for enhancing competencies of responsive parenting among caregivers for early childhood development in rural India
BACKGROUND: Responsive parenting constitutes an essential part of the context in which children live and has shown a positive effect on child development in the early years of life. AIMS: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of family parenting programs for enhancing competencies of responsive parenting among caregivers. STUDY DESIGN: Cluster-RCT in 50 Anganwadi center areas. Twenty-five intervention clusters received responsive parenting…
Design-redesign, implementation, and evaluation of effectiveness of maternal nutrition and responsive parenting program on child development at 2 years of age from rural India
Background: To promote early childhood development (ECD), we require information not only on what needs to be addressed and on what effects can be achieved but also on effective delivery methods that can be adapted to local context. We describe design, implementation, and evaluation of a complex intervention to strengthen nurturing environment for young children. Methods: Study participants were pregnant women and their children from birth to 2 y…
Rapid-cycle evaluation and learning for the effective delivery of integrated interventions in early childhood in rural India
Background: Effective and real-time data analytics plays an essential role in understanding gaps and improving the quality and coverage of complex public health interventions. Studies of public health information systems identify problems with data quality, such as incomplete records and untimely reporting. Effective data collection and real-time analysis systems for rapid-cycle learning are necessary to monitor public health programs and take ti…
Integrating father involvement into early childhood initiatives delivered at scale
Early child development (ECD) interventions, usually centered around the mother, exclude fathers from contributing to childcare. Research shows that a father’s involvement in childcare can have a positive impact on the child’s growth. In this light, a trial was conducted in rural India wherein a new program component aimed at enhancing fathers’ engagement in early child was incorporated into an existing childcare intervention. The paper highlight…
Realising distributed leadership through measurement for change
Through a systematic reflection on the journey that transformed traditional state-run baby homes in Tajikistan from closed institutions into community-oriented Family and Child Support Centres (FCSC) we reveal key moments of change. This review describes how community consultation with local participants in a development project shifted responsibility and accountability from international to local ownership and how distributed leadership contribu…
Measurement for Change
In this review paper, we explore how on-the-ground Early Childhood Development (ECD) innovators are using monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems to guide the design and implementation of ECD programs, as well as how MEL systems can influence policy and support the achievement of impact at scale. We reflect on articles in the Frontiers series “ Effective delivery of integrated interventions in early childhood: innovations in evidence u…
Whose child is it? A psychological perspective on responsibility and accountability in decision making on nurturing care in early childhood
In this comment, we examine the implications of decolonization on decision making in childcare (Kgatla, 2018). Self-empowerment as a cornerstone of change, long part of community empowerment, has finally achieved recognition within the literature on global health and nurturing care (Charani et al., 2022; Sharm & Sam-Agudu, 2023). Varied perspectives discuss the global benefits of shifting responsibility in decision making, for humanizing of the l…
Community engagement in early childhood development intervention trials
Background Delivering Early Childhood Development (ECD) interventions in low-resource settings requires context-sensitive adaptive strategies grounded in community realities. The Stepping Stones Program, implemented in rural central India, sought to improve parenting practices and child development outcomes through structured community engagement. This paper presents the approach, implementation, and program impact, offering insights into buildin…
Longitudinal Associations Between Production and Comprehension of Nouns and Verbs in Kiswahili
Children’s first words are frequently recorded to be nouns, rather than verbs, but data from some languages (notably some Asian and African languages, including Mandarin, Korean, and Ngas) and some methodologies (especially spontaneous speech recordings) suggest that verbs can be represented as early as nouns. Variables that potentially impact early verb knowledge include the structure of the language children are learning and whether it is verb …
Impact of an integrated parenting and nutrition intervention on growth and development in stunted children at 24 months
OBJECTIVES: This paper examines the differential impact of responsive parenting and nutrition interventions on early child development in stunted versus never-stunted children at 24 months of age in rural India. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from Stepping Stones-a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 21 subcentres/clusters allocated to intervention or control group. The intervention comprised home visits, group sessi…
Medicine (14 obras) · Child Nutrition and Water Access (11 obras) · Psychology (10 obras) · Computer Science (8 obras) · Developmental psychology (7 obras) · Early Childhood Education and Development (6 obras) · Nursing (5 obras) · Political science (5 obras) · Data science (4 obras) · Infant Development and Preterm Care (4 obras)