Pequeno Príncipe’s experience strengthens early childhood care in a municipality in São Paulo state

A project developed with the support of the Tecendo Infâncias Institute brought training to healthcare professionals in Iguape, expanding practices focused on child development and the humanized care of children and their families

The first years of life have a decisive influence on a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. With the goal of strengthening care from the very beginning of life, Pequeno Príncipe Hospital shared with healthcare professionals from the public health network in Iguape, on the coast of São Paulo state, the expertise built over more than a decade through its Primeiríssima Infância: Gerando Prosperidade Social (Early Childhood: Generating Social Prosperity) project.

The training, held from July 6 to 8 with support from the Tecendo Infâncias Institute, brought together 100 healthcare professionals, including community health workers, nursing technicians, and nurses, with the goal of broadening their understanding of the period from pregnancy through the first three years of life and strengthening practices focused on welcoming care, healthy bonding, and the comprehensive development of children served by the municipal healthcare network.

According to Maria Gloss, manager of the Humanization Sector at Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, the initiative is intended to disseminate knowledge capable of transforming care during the earliest years of life. “Community health workers, nursing technicians, and nurses interact directly with families of young children. When these professionals are informed and sensitized, they can make a meaningful difference in the lives of a significant number of children,” she emphasizes.

Knowledge that reaches communities

The training program addressed topics related to the importance of early childhood, child development, and the relationships established between adults and children. Participants also took part in practical activities, including Shantala infant massage workshops and handicraft sessions, reinforcing the importance of affection, stimulation, and emotional bonds throughout child development.

In addition to improving the quality of healthcare provided in the municipality, the initiative seeks to prepare participants to become multipliers of this knowledge, strengthening the support network available to children and their families from the very beginning of life.

An initiative developed within the Hospital

Created in 2014 and coordinated by the Humanization Sector of Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, the Primeiríssima Infância (Early Childhood) program develops activities during hospitalization to strengthen the bond between children and their caregivers by sharing knowledge about child development through discussion groups, shared reading activities, music sessions, Shantala infant massage, toys, and play-based activities.

In 2025 alone, the program directly benefited 2,032 people, including patients, family members, and trained professionals. The initiative also led to the publication of an educational booklet containing guidance for families and caregivers on topics such as bonding, nutrition, play, and language development.

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