Complementing the government’s ICDS program
Every participant in the study was enrolled in the standard services offered by Anganwadi centers, where children under six receive non-formal education, nutrition supplementation, and growth monitoring. Furthermore, the intervention group benefited from responsive parenting and enhanced nutrition initiatives delivered through home visits, group sessions, and community workshops. This intervention strategy synergizes with the existing components of the ICDS program, introducing an adaptable community-focused, responsive parenting curriculum for children under 2 years of age. The ICDS program’s Anganwadi Workers played a supportive role, guiding the Balsakhi and aiding in addressing challenges related to intervention delivery.