A/RES/65/197 when applicable, legal guardians and other caregivers to offer protection, and are more vulnerable to disease, trauma and violence, including neglect, injury, maltreatment and abuse, including physical and mental violence, and other obstacles to their development, and are entitled to special protection measures and the opportunity to progressively exercise their rights in a manner consistent with their evolving capacities; 35. Reaffirms that the eradication of poverty is essential to the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals and to the full realization of the rights of all children, including in early childhood, and expresses deep concern that malnutrition and preventable diseases continue to be major obstacles to the realization of rights in early childhood, in particular the right to life and the right to food, and to the ability of the child to develop, and also recognizes the need to reduce child mortality and ensure comprehensive child development; 36. Emphasizes that good maternal health, including physical and mental health, nutrition and education are essential for the full realization of all rights of the child, including in early childhood, for the survival of children and their ability to develop and to reach their full potential; 37. Recognizes that discrimination against and exploitation of children, including in early childhood, harm their quality of life and may reduce their survival prospects, and calls upon States to take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination and exploitation; 38. Also recognizes that, in ensuring the exercise by children, including in early childhood, of their rights, States shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, where applicable, the members of the extended family or community, as provided for by local custom, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for the child to provide, in a manner consistent with the age, maturity and evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance; 39. Further recognizes that a child who is temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or in whose own best interest cannot be allowed to remain in that environment, is entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State, and calls upon States to ensure adequate alternative care for such a child in accordance with their national laws, preferably in the form of family-based care; 40. Recognizes that the right to education is closely linked to the maximum development of the child and that the goal of formal and non-formal education shall be to empower the child, including in early childhood, by developing his or her skills, ability to learn, self-esteem and self-confidence, and that this must be achieved in ways that enable children to learn through play and experience and reflect the rights and inherent human dignity of the child; 41. Acknowledges the need to enhance efforts aimed at expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, as determined in goal 1 of Education for All, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, taking into account the evidence that good-quality early childhood care and education, both in the family and in more structured programmes, have a positive impact on the survival, growth and development of children and on their ability to learn; 42. Welcomes the first World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education, held in Moscow from 27 to 29 September 2010, convened by the United 9