SHAH ALAM, Dec 23 — Approximately 1,505 children in Selangor have undergone early developmental screening through the Selangor Early Childhood Development Screening Programme (Spaks) since October last year.
Yayasan Warisan Anak Selangor's (Yawas) chief executive officer Gan Pei Nei said that of this number, 1,325 were eligible for further assessment to identify any developmental issues requiring early intervention.
She explained that, following the outcomes of the advanced assessments conducted under the programme, implemented in collaboration with the Selangor Community Development Department (Kemas), 142 children were identified as needing early intervention in Phase Two, which is expected to begin in the second quarter of next year.
“We have successfully screened children at 117 Kemas kindergartens across Selangor, including kindergartens attended by Orang Asli children, as well as screenings conducted during programmes organised under the state government,” she told Media Selangor.
Gan added that the screenings, involving children aged three to five, were conducted by trained personnel using digital devices like tablets or smartphones via an interactive, game-based app that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) technology from Japan.
They are required to answer questions or complete tasks within a set time frame, while officers observe their responses and reactions. The approach combines digital technology and AI to ensure the screening method is more child-friendly and effective.
“The children’s responses are collected and then emailed to parents, who are asked to complete a questionnaire to help finalise an individual child’s assessment report based on the five domains measured.
“These include gross motor skills, fine motor skills, language, cognitive ability, and social interaction,” she said.
Previously, Gan said that Selangor had targeted 1,500 children aged between three and five to be screened under the pilot programme.
Spaks was launched by Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari on December 1, 2024, as a vital state government initiative to ensure that early childhood development receives appropriate attention.
It is a pilot project offering free early childhood developmental screenings, aimed at improving access for B40 families through AI innovation.
