Lopez Link Knowledge + Beyond Column - November 2026
By Rina Lopez
Imagine being a young child awakened in the middle of the night by heavy rain, rising floodwaters, or the sudden shaking of an earthquake. You hear worried voices, see adults rushing to gather belongings, and sense that something is terribly wrong. You may not understand what is happening or why you must suddenly leave the safety of your home. All you know is that you are frightened, and you want someone to hold your hand, comfort you, and tell you that everything will be all right.
For young children, disasters and emergencies can be especially frightening because they cannot always understand or express what they are experiencing. They depend on the adults around them not only to keep them physically safe but also to provide the reassurance, stability, and loving care they need to feel secure. This National Children’s Month, as we focus on children’s right to safety and protection, let us remember that protecting children means looking after both their physical safety and their emotional well-being.
At Knowledge Channel Foundation, we believe that caring for our youngest children begins with empowering the adults around them. Parents, caregivers, and teachers play a vital role in creating safe, nurturing environments where children can grow, develop, and learn. This is why we have long advocated for early childhood care and development in the Philippines, working with government agencies, local governments, and partner organizations to strengthen the knowledge and skills of those responsible for young children.
Together with the National Nutrition Council, we produced I Love You 1000, an educational series that helps expectant parents and caregivers understand the importance of health, nutrition, responsive caregiving, and safety during a child’s first 1,000 days—from conception to age two. This is a critical period of brain development, when proper care and nurturing lay the foundation for lifelong health and learning.
An episode on health, safety, and security in the upskilling video
We also developed KCare, a three-day training program that equips Child Development Workers, barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, and other caregivers with essential knowledge and skills in nurturing care and early childhood development. An important part of this is understanding how to create safe, supportive environments for young children.
Teachers undergo the three-day KCare training in Taytay, Rizal
More recently, in partnership with the University of the Philippines Department of Family Life and Child Development, we developed 10 training videos to help upskill Child Development Workers. These resources support caregivers in creating meaningful learning experiences and environments that promote children’s health, safety, and well-being.
These initiatives reflect a belief that has guided our work at Knowledge Channel: When we invest in the adults who care for and teach our children, we invest in the children themselves. During emergencies and difficult times, a calm, informed, and caring adult can make an enormous difference in a child’s experience. But children need this same sense of security and support every day, not only during disasters.
This National Children’s Month, let us reaffirm our shared responsibility to protect, nurture, and support every child. By empowering parents, caregivers, and teachers, we help build families and communities where children feel safe, valued, and loved—and where they can learn and thrive. Together, we can reach more, teach more, and help children learn more.
Help us reach more teachers, caregivers, and children who can benefit from Knowledge Channel’s programs. To support the Knowledge Channel Foundation, you may donate through BPI Account No. 0201-0409-14. Please send your deposit slip to info@knowledgechannel.org for proper acknowledgment. Learn more about our work at knowledgechannel.org.
