Research in early childhood education is essential for identifying developmental delays and supporting the optimal growth of young children. It helps develop practical, culturally appropriate tools that empower teachers and caregivers to provide timely interventions, especially in low-resource settings.

REACh for the preschoolers; a developmental assessment tool for 2-5 year old children in Sri Lanka

This project focuses on the development of a culturally appropriate developmental screening tool for preschool children in Sri Lanka, designed to be used by preschool teachers in their own classroom settings. The tool, known as the Ragama Early Assessment for Children (REACh), has undergone two major iterations. The first version was developed using evidence from 11 local and international developmental assessment tools and included items across multiple developmental domains. It was tested nationally in 160 randomly selected preschools, assessing over 1,800 children.

Image: REACh tool set

Findings from the first iteration showed acceptable reliability and validity, particularly for older preschool children, and the results were published in BMC Paediatrics. Based on these findings, along with feedback from teachers, early childhood development officers, and reviewers, the tool was revised between 2021 and 2023. The final version focuses on children aged 3–5 years and includes seven developmental domains, with improved accuracy and reliability.

The project has now moved into implementation, with pilot testing underway in rural districts in collaboration with partner organizations. Future plans include expanding the programme to include structured teacher training, certification, and linked early intervention support for children identified as at risk.

The second iteration of this tool is under review and the research team is discussing the possibilities of nationalizing this tool.

Link to the publication: REACh for the preschoolers; a developmental assessment tool for 2–5 year old children in Sri Lanka

Investigators: Caldera AV, Wickremasinghe AR, Muttiah N, Godamunne PKS, Jayasena BN, Chathurika LKE, Perera KMN, Mendis M, Tilakarathne D, Peiris MKRR, Wijesinghe T, Senarathna NE, Saubhagya WDL, Chandraratne M, Sumanasena SP

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