Definition: A disorder, usually first manifest during early childhood (and always well before puberty), characterized by a persistent and intense distress about assigned sex, together with a desire to be (or insistence that one is) of the other sex. There is a persistent preoccupation with the dress and activities of the opposite sex and repudiation of the individual's own sex. The diagnosis requires a profound disturbance of the normal gender identity; mere tomboyishness in girls or girlish behaviour in boys is not sufficient. Gender identity disorders in individuals who have reached or are entering puberty should not be classified her ...[+++]e but in F66.-.

early childhood [ baby | infant | newborn | infant(GEMET) | infants(UNBIS) ]

Definition: Should be diagnosed when fear of separation constitutes the focus of the anxiety and when such anxiety first arose during the early years of childhood. It is differentiated from normal separation anxiety when it is of a degree (severity) that is statistically unusual (including an abnormal persistence beyond the usual age period), and when it is associated with significant problems in social functioning.

Definition: A feeding disorder of varying manifestations usually specific to infancy and early childhood. It generally involves food refusal and extreme faddiness in the presence of an adequate food supply, a reasonably competent caregiver, and the absence of organic disease. There may or may not be associated rumination (repeated regurgitation without nausea or gastrointestinal illness). | Rumination disorder of infancy

child protection [ child abuse | child soldier | ill-treated child | moral protection of children ]

Unicef [ United Nations Children's Fund | United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund ]

menarche | first period

There is a need to ensure that a screening system is put in place in all countries to identify (potential) learning difficulties so as to prevent problems and to ensure early intervention during early childhood.

Paying especial attention to early childhood education and to supporting parents through targeted and multi-professional support, involving learning the family-related competencies, can be particularly important in breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and helping children with special needs to catch up their peers before starting compulsory education.

Promote policies and initiatives aiming at healthy diet and sufficient physical activity throughout the lifespan, starting from the earliest stages of life, before and during pregnancy, promoting and supporting adequate breastfeeding and appropriate introduction of complementary food, followed by healthy eating and promotion of physical activity in the family and school environments during childhood and adolescence and later on during adulthood and older age.

supporting parents in their role as the main educators of their children during the early years, and encouraging ECEC services to work in close partnership with parents, families and communities, in order to increase awareness of the opportunities offered by ECEC and of the importance of learning from an early age;