Key programmatic elements
First Steps “Intera za Mbere” is a radio-supported holistic parenting education program targeting male and female caregivers of children aged 0–3 years old. The program aims to improve nurturing care practices, child development, and learning outcomes, and increase emergent literacy promotion in the home. Typically, parents attend 18 structured 60–90-min parent group sessions run by a trained parent facilitator. Seventeen of the 18 sessions include a radio listening session which is preceded and followed by facilitated discussion, reflection, demonstration, and practice of key nurturing care behaviors such as singing, reading, talking, telling stories, and playing with children. Parents are requested to attend the session together with their children which gives them an opportunity to play and practice simple games that support children’s development.A distinct aspect of the radio program is that it addresses male engagement through the role model of a father whose character evolves over the course of the drama, from a skeptic into a loving, nurturing, playful father. A light touch home visit component was also piloted in the projectOn the journey to scale, First Steps utilized monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) approaches, and human-centered design principles to allow evidence and learning from program implementation and evaluation to shape every stage of the program cycle. Evidence and learning from the program were also used to influence national-level policy, practice, and advocacy. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to gather program learning and evidence. Over 6 years, the program went through several distinct phases punctuated by periodic “pause-reflect-action” cycles that allowed the program to continually apply measurement for change principles and aspirations. The distinct phases and key activities are discussed below.