Table 8 Revised training module

Classroom sessions

Pre-recorded and live presentations on:

• Introduction to early childhood development ECD,

• Sustainable development goals and emphasis on SDG 4.2.1,

• Introduction to GSED measures,

• Sessions on the consenting process,

• Rapport building with caregiver and child,

• Techniques to maintain privacy and confidentiality, specially while asking sensitive questions and

• Upholding a distraction-free environment for children, especially during the GSED LF administration

Video clips of trainers administering difficult items

These aid supervisors for site training. For example, an item from the GSED LF asks the “child to run up to the ball and kick it without stopping running”; since assessors found this item challenging to score, a video from the Bangladesh team was later shared with all teams for better understanding of exactly what the scoring of this item entailed

List of foreseeable practical challenges as “scenarios” for discussion

For example, in one scenario, “An assessor tells you that prior to the start of a practice administration, she observed the child running with her sibling. When the assessor administers the running items of GSED LF, however, the child does not run, similarly, the assessor wants to know if she can score YES for crawling, as she saw the child crawl earlier. How would you manage these situations? (Where a child may demonstrate behavior before or after administration, but not during administration)?” Such scenarios were discussed in smaller groups to elicit more understanding of the items

Interactive session

Role plays, practice sessions among trainees

Practice sessions with children at the study site

Training materials

Instruction manuals for each tool

Standard operating procedures SOPs

With brief yet clearly laid visit schedules, administration timelines, instructions in exceptional cases, e.g., if the child is sick or if the mother is divorced

Checklists before starting administrations

Certification

The same guidelines for certification to be followed (see Methods)