The first years of a child's life are crucial for development.
The first few years of a child's life are important for all aspects of their development. Many factors may comprise a child's optimal development, including socioeconomic. Impoverished children lack in nutrition, care, education, medical care and social services, thus creating developmental delays and health problems. Economic factors can affect children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development and their overall health.
Physical
Children who grow up in wealthier families may grow taller than children of lower economic status. A British National Child Development Survey in 1971 found that boys of professional or managerial parents were 1.3 inches taller than boys from unskilled labor classes. Poor children with substandard nutrition may have stunted growth and poor motor skills. However, a 2006 study by The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Program in the U.S. found no differences between poor children and wealthy children in motor skills, such as walking, balance and fine motor control.
Social and Emotional
Children in the lowest income brackets have the highest levels of depression and antisocial behavior, such as bullying and cheating. According to research in the "Journal of Health and Social Behavior," an increase in household income improves child mental health. Decreases in income increase mental health issues and antisocial behavior. The lowest levels of depressions and antisocial behavior were found in children whose families began and continued in the highest income households.
Cognitive
The 2006 study by The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Program found significant differences in poor and wealthier children at age nine months, two years and four years in cognitive assessments, such as listening comprehension, letter recognition and knowledge of quantities. Lower reading scores and achievement tests have been linked to impoverished children, and the chronic stress of poverty may impact the memory skills of children.
Health
The overall health of children in lower economic brackets is lower due to higher incidences of low birth weight and poor diets. Children in poverty may not have received adequate prenatal care or early medical care. Poor children are more likely to have food insecurities, where parents may worry about being able to afford nutritious food. Poor children are also more likely to be involved in accidents and suffer injuries than wealthier children. Moreover, a higher level of obesity has been linked to poor children, who have lower nutrition and a higher intake of complex carbohydrates with added sugars.
Tags: antisocial behavior, 2006 study, 2006 study Early, been linked, child life, Childhood Longitudinal, Childhood Longitudinal Study