F-words as core components in global early childhood development interventions: a scoping review protocol

Early childhood development (ECD) interventions within global health systems support children aged 0-5 years across a range of developmental needs, including those who are typically developing (healthy), at risk of developmental delay or living with developmental disorders. These interventions address multiple domains of development, yet their conceptual integration remains variable across contexts. The F-words framework-encompassing Functionig, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends and Future-provides a holistic, strengths-based lens for understanding child development, yet its integration across diverse health contexts remains underexplored. This scoping review protocol adopts the F-words framework as a guiding premise to examine how these components are reflected in ECD interventions globally.

This scoping review will follow Arksey and O'Malley's framework, with guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute, using the Population-Concept-Context approach. Searches will be conducted in major international databases (eg, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science) alongside selected regional sources and grey literature. Studies will be screened independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved through discussion or a third reviewer. Data will be charted using structured forms aligned with the F-words domains and synthesised narratively to identify key patterns, gaps and implementation factors.

Ethical approval was confirmed by Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (IR.TBZMED.REC.1404.139); no patient involvemet occurs. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and academic forums to inform research, policy and practice in ECD.