This paper aims to present a portion of a study aimed to evaluate the effects and impact of the educative component of the Growth and Development Monitoring Program in four Health Institutions in Medellín, Colombia, regarding the meanings that the significant adults (SA) and health team members (HTM) have about the Program and its outcomes. It was done a qualitative evaluative research under a multiple case study. There were found important differences in the meanings of the Program and its outcomes among the stakeholders reflecting differences in interests, priorities, and needs. For the HTM, the Program's axis is the child and the education process is guided to change SA behaviors. In contrast, the SA considers itself a part of the Program axis, as a subject, because his raising role is related to his own development and well being as well as the child's. "Raising" is a socio - historic, cultural and ontological category that should be at center of any early childhood care program. It is very important to understand the meanings of the Program and its outcomes for the stakeholders in order to make better planning, implementation and evaluation of childhood care programs.
Growth and Development Monitoring Program; Health education; Rearing; Qualitative evaluation; Meanings; Children
