The Women and Child Development Department has introduced the ‘Kunjus Card’ project to scientifically monitor the growth and development of children in Anganwadis across the state. This innovative initiative systematically records the child’s age-appropriate physical and intellectual milestones, ensuring early detection of developmental issues.

The Kunjus Card captures vital information under the category of ‘health’, including assessments of speech, hearing, vision, movement, attention span, and dental health. These indicators help identify any abnormalities in a child’s development. Physical growth parameters such as height and weight are recorded quarterly, four times a year. The documentation also includes additional data such as vaccination status, allergies, attendance, birth weight, length, head circumference, blood group, and Aadhaar number.

The card features a three-colour bubble system to reflect the observations of Anganwadi workers: green indicates the child can perform an activity independently, yellow denotes the need for assistance, and red signals an inability to accomplish the task. A key feature of the card is the provision for referral services when developmental delays are observed, allowing for expert evaluation and timely intervention.

This system facilitates informed and collaborative efforts between parents, Anganwadi workers, and health professionals. Designed by a technical committee led by the Women and Child Development Department and supported by paediatricians and experts from the Thiruvananthapuram CDC, the Kunjus Card project aims to provide a holistic overview of a child’s developmental progress.

By enabling the early identification of issues and ensuring timely medical care, the Kunjus Card represents a transformative step toward child welfare and health protection in Kerala.