Collaboration Between Community Leaders and the Public in Child Development Education Through Participatory Discussions in Gunung Kidul Regency

Abstract

Monitoring children’s growth and development during the early stages of life is a critical factor in determining their future health, cognitive development, and learning abilities. However, Posyandu services often focus primarily on monitoring physical growth, resulting in suboptimal monitoring of other aspects of child development. This community service activity aims to increase community participation and the capacity of Posyandu cadres in education and early detection of child growth and development through a participatory discussion approach and community mentoring in Gunung Kidul Regency. The implementation method utilized a collaborative education model involving cadres, families, and health workers, encompassing interactive counseling, training in the use of developmental screening instruments, early detection practices at Posyandu, as well as strengthening administrative processes and the sustainability of services. The results of the activity demonstrated an increase in cadres’ capacity for growth and development monitoring, increased family participation in stimulating and monitoring children’s development, the implementation of more systematic growth and development screening, and the strengthening of Posyandu governance as a community-based monitoring unit. Overall, collaboration between health cadres and the community through participatory discussions has proven to support the effectiveness of early detection of child growth and development and to strengthen promotive–preventive efforts for child health at the community level.