- GSED is a global, standardized tool to measure early childhood development from birth to age three.
- GSED provides comparable data to inform evidence-based early childhood policies.
- GSED is proof that rigorous measurement can support timely and effective early interventions.
Knowing whether girls and boys are reaching their full potential from the earliest years of life is essential for their present and future well-being. The period from pregnancy to age five is critical for brain development, as more than one million neural connections are formed every second. During this time, the foundations of motor, socioemotional, cognitive, and language development are established and these skills that are essential for future learning and lifelong well-being.
However, the lack of standardized systems has limited the ability of many countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to rigorously monitor child development. Just as weight and height are measured from birth, it is equally important to have tools that allow for a comprehensive assessment of early childhood development.
Until recently, the region lacked common instruments that were easy to use and freely accessible. This fragmented progress made it difficult to compare results across countries. In response, the Global Scales for Early Development (GSED) were created: a set of validated, globally relevant, and freely available measurement tools.
The GSED package was developed to rigorously and comprehensively assess the development of children from birth to age three. This tool makes it possible to construct universal child development curves, similar to the weight and height growth charts pediatricians use to determine whether a child is developing within healthy parameters compared to their peers.
These curves will help countries establish a shared reference point to better understand early childhood development and to design evidence-based public policies.
Today, thanks to the joint efforts of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), universities, and research teams across the region, the GSED package is available and adapted for Latin America and the Caribbean in Spanish, with a Portuguese version forthcoming.
During the regional launch in August 2025, researchers shared lessons learned from applying the GSED package in different national contexts. Their experiences show that GSED is both a robust and flexible tool, capable of adapting to the region’s diverse realities:
- Chile: Paula Bedregal, professor at the School of Public Health of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, highlighted the importance of rigorous and continuous training for field teams, as well as standardization across all phases of the study. She emphasized that implementation is an ongoing process of improvement, supported by ethical oversight and close collaboration between local teams and the World Health Organization.
- Brazil: Alexandra Bretani, professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine, explained that in such a diverse country, careful translation and cultural adaptation of the instruments were essential. Each word and example was reviewed to ensure families clearly understood the questions. Visual materials were particularly well received, and the experience was positive for both children and caregivers.
- Peru: Kristen Hinckley, early childhood development specialist at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, underscored the importance of flexibility when applying GSED in rural communities, where spaces are often unconventional and interruptions frequent. She also emphasized the need for realistic timelines, thoughtful interaction with caregivers, and training teams not only in technical aspects but also in cultural and relational dimensions that influence assessment.
- United States: Susanne Martin Herz, professor and director of the Division of Developmental Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, noted that in a multicultural context, bilingual interviewers and translated forms were key. Although adaptations were minimal, training non-specialist staff to administer the tool facilitated the research process and demonstrated the versatility of the GSED.
These experiences confirm that the GSED package not only produces high-quality data, it also promotes shared learning and fosters a regional community of research and practice in early childhood development.
The launch of the GSED in Latin America and the Caribbean is more than a technical milestone: it is a reminder that measuring what matters is the first step toward transforming realities. With this tool, the region moves closer to equity, working to ensure that every child can grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
At the IDB, we will continue working with governments across the region to pilot the implementation of the GSED package in national surveys and advance toward the development of universal child development curves.
Access the tool here: Global Scales for Early Development Package.