They said the foundation of all human qualities is laid in children during this period and what they learn at this time reacts later on the basis of their learning being an adult.

The behaviour of people around the children during this period and the surrounding environment also play a significant role in establishing the base of the children, they added.

The project titled 'Communication Programme on Early Childhood Development (ECD)' was launched at Shishu Academy in the city.

The speakers said a child is born with crores of neuron cells in its head and these cells can't do anything alone, they need to be connected with other cells for mental growth of a child and 80-90 percent connections happen since birth to five years.

They urged parents to pay attention to their children and spend more time with them, answer their questions and inspire them in doing creative things.

Speaking as chief guest, Women and Children Affairs Minister Khurshid Jahan Haque said among all social awareness programmes that the government has taken up, the ECD project is the most important for child welfare.

She also underlined the importance of the period from womb to five years for the total growth of a child.

Terming this period important in terms of economical aspect, Country Representative of Unicef Lui George Asarno said, " We will have a heavy return in future if we invest at this initial time of a child because later on the child will be fit in physically and mentally and will be able to serve the country, the society and the family."

Director of Bangladesh Shishu Academy MM Niaz Uddin and EEC Project Director Md Mesbahul Islam spoke at the function with academy Chairman Prof Jubaida Gulshan Ara in the chair.

The mass communication programme includes a drama serial of 13 episodes named Rangdhanu (Rainbow).

Written by Humayun Ahmed and directed by Abul Hayat the serial is already on air in BTV since March 19 after 8:00pm BTV news on every Sunday.