scholarly journals Does Place Matter? An International Comparison of Early Childhood Development Outcomes between the Metropolitan Areas of Melbourne, Australia and Montreal, Canada

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 2915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Dea ◽  
Lise Gauvin ◽  
Michel Fournier ◽  
Sharon Goldfeld
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
International Comparisons ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Policies And Programs ◽  
The Impact

There is strong consensus about the importance of early childhood development (ECD) for improving population health and closing the health inequity gap. Environmental features and public policies across sectors and jurisdictions are known to influence ECD. International comparisons provide valuable opportunities to better understand the impact of these ecological determinants on ECD. This study compared ECD outcomes between metropolitan Melbourne (Australia) and Montreal (Canada), and contrasted disparities across demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: Population wide surveys using the Early Development Instrument (EDI) were conducted among 4–6 years-old children in both Montreal and Melbourne in 2012, measuring five domains of ECD: 1-Physical Health/Well-Being (PHYS); 2-Social Competence (SOC); 3-Emotional Maturity (EMOT); 4-Language/Cognitive Development (COGN); and 5-Communication Skills/General Knowledge (COMM). Descriptive analyses of summary EDI indicators and domain indicators (including median scores and interquartile ranges) were compared between metropolitan areas, using their respective 95% confident intervals (CIs). Analyses were performed using Stata software (v14). Results: The proportion of children developmentally vulnerable in at least one domain of ECD was 26.8% (95% CIs: 26.2, 27.3) in Montreal vs. 19.2% (95% CIs: 18.8, 19.5) in Melbourne. The Melbourne advantage was greatest for EMOT and COGN (11.5% vs. 6.9%; 13.0% vs. 5.8%). In both Montreal and Melbourne, boys, immigrants, children not speaking the language of the majority at home, and those living in the most deprived areas were at greater risk of being developmentally vulnerable. Relative risks as a function of home language and area-level deprivation subgroups were smaller in Montreal than in Melbourne. Conclusion: This study shows that Melbourne’s children globally experience better ECD outcomes than Montreal’s children, but that inequity gaps are greater in Melbourne for language and area-level deprivation subgroups. Further research is warranted to identify the environmental factors, policies, and programs that account for these observed differences.

scholarly journals Green space and early childhood development: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zahirul Islam ◽  
Jessika Johnston ◽  
Peter D. Sly
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health And Well Being

AbstractBackgroundThe urban environment presents significant health challenges for children, such as discouraging physical exercise and increasing exposure to air pollution, excessive noise and higher temperatures. Reducing exposures to these negative environmental factors can have great benefits on a child’s well-being and lower their risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. There is increasing evidence that suggests that the presence of urban green space can offer benefits to human health and well-being. While studies have reported the impact green space exposure has on the individual health outcomes of children, few have paid attention to the link between green space and the child’s development. This review aims to synthesise the evidence of the effect green space exposure has on early childhood development.ObjectivesTo explore the relationship between green space and early childhood development.MethodsAn online search was conducted using pre-identified keywords related to green space and early childhood development using search engines such as PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, MeSH and PsycINFO. Peer-reviewed papers published in the past 10 years were included in this review. Papers were selected, extracted, analysed and interpreted based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.ResultsFifty-one papers were identified, of which 28 were excluded due to duplications or irrelevance, yielding a total of 23 papers to be reviewed. Articles were categorised based on reported outcomes: perinatal health, physical health, psychological health and respiratory health. An increase in green space during pregnancy was associated with increased birth weight and a decreased risk for low birth weight (LBW). Further, higher greenness exposure during childhood was associated with increased levels of physical activity and a lower risk of obesity and neurodevelopmental issues such as inattentiveness. While green space exposure was negatively associated with wheezing and bronchitis in some cohorts, certain plant species increase asthmatic symptoms during childhood, indicating that plant species type is an important determinant.ConclusionThe extant literature on green space exposure and early childhood development is small. Regardless, the existing research provides promising insights into the benefits of green space exposure on children’s health and well-being in an ever-increasing urban world. Further research is needed on the causal relationships between both quantity and quality of green space to early childhood development.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of policies and programs to support families and children during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Kearon ◽  
Mark Cachia ◽  
Sarah Carsley ◽  
Meta van den Heuvel ◽  
Jessica Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Policies And Programs

AbstractBackgroundPolicies and programs that promote positive social environments for young children and their families have the potential to improve early childhood development and long-term health. However, due to the community-wide public health measures implemented to reduce transmission of COVID-19, many families are experiencing health and socio-economic challenges and pre-existing supports and services may no longer be available. In this study, we compared the policies and programs countries have implemented to support maternal and child health during the first wave of COVID-19.MethodsWe compared the policies and programs implemented to support child health and well-being during the first wave of COVID-19 in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, the UK, and the USA. A grey literature review was performed to identify policies, announcements, and guidelines released from governmental and public health organizations within each country related to children, parents, families, early childhood development, adverse childhood experiences, child welfare, pre-school, or daycares. We also performed a manual search of government websites. Both provincial and federal government policies were included for Canada.ResultsThe main policies identified were focused on prenatal care, well-baby visit and immunization schedules, financial supports, domestic violence and housing, childcare supports, child protective services, and food security. All of the included countries implemented some of these policies, but there was a large variation in the number, size, and barriers to access these supports. None of the countries implemented supports in all of the potential areas identified.ConclusionPolitical legacy and previous redistributive policies might have influenced the variation in policies and programs introduced by governments. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, further opportunity for governments to implement supportive programs and policies for children and families exists.

Evolution of opportunities for early childhood development in Arab countries

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Hlasny
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Household Wealth ◽  
Arab Countries ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Opportunities ◽  
Opportunity Gaps ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate opportunities for early childhood development (ECD) regarding children’s prenatal care, access to nutrition, health, parental care and cognitive-developmental activities, in 33 surveys from 13 countries. A total of 15 indicators for children’s opportunities are assessed including their typical level, inequality across demographic groups, and factors responsible. Design/methodology/approach Probability regressions estimate the effects of various household circumstances on children’s engagement in development opportunities. Dissimilarity indexes and human opportunity indexes are computed for each ECD dimension. To understand the impact of each household characteristic, Shorrocks-Shapley decomposition is performed. Findings ECD opportunities are poor but improving and becoming more equal across many countries. Progress is uneven. As may be expected, household wealth affects inequality for ECD opportunities facilitated by markets or governments, but not non-market opportunities. For preventive healthcare and preschool enrollment, access is deteriorating, reflecting low priority given to them in public policy. Children’s height falls behind in the first two years of children’s life, suggesting the need for targeted institutional interventions. Surprisingly, countries experiencing uprisings see conditions improving, while other Arab countries see them stagnating or deteriorating. Originality/value Local and national policy should tackle the identified opportunity gaps. Policymakers should allocate proper investment in medical and educational infrastructure and better coordinate support for disadvantaged families to ensure proper prenatal and ECD. International organizations should provide assistance with these programs.

Parents and Technology

2019 ◽  
pp. 610-641
Author(s):  
Sean W. Mulvenon ◽  
Sandra G. Bowman
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Resource Model ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Parents And Technology

The use of technology to improve the health and nutrition outcomes of children has been improving in recent years with many resources available online. Additionally, the expansion and continued growth of the Internet allows a method of access to information that transcends the traditional geographical obstacles in providing educational resources to parents in rural communities. A review of research and resources online to support parents with early childhood development is presented. A challenge identified in use of technology is the “silo” mentality of resources and the integration of education, health, nutrition, and social well-being information as a single resource for parents. Based on the research a comprehensive resource model is presented that integrates essential maturational and academic development for children. Additionally, the use for improved metrics and their development is provided.

scholarly journals Local Housing Characteristics Associated with Early Childhood Development Outcomes in Australian Disadvantaged Communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1719
Author(s):  
Karen Villanueva ◽  
Hannah Badland ◽  
Robert Tanton ◽  
Ilan Katz ◽  
Sally Brinkman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Public Housing ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Housing Characteristics ◽  
Development Outcomes ◽  
Objectively Measured

Disadvantaged communities tend to have poorer early childhood development outcomes. Access to safe, secure, and stable housing is a well-known social determinant of health but there is a need to examine key features of neighbourhood housing that reduce early childhood development inequities. The 2012 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC), a population-wide measure of early childhood development, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics Socio-economic Index for Areas Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage were used to select fourteen disadvantaged local communities in five Australian states and territories based on those performing better (off-diagonal), or as expected (on-diagonal) on the AEDC relative to their socio-economic profile. Between 2015–2017, qualitative and quantitative housing data were collected in the local communities. In total, 87 interviews with stakeholders, 30 focus groups with local service providers and parents, and Australian Census dwelling information were analysed. A comparative case study approach was used to examine differences in housing characteristics (e.g., public housing, density, affordability, and tenure) between disadvantaged local communities performing ‘better than expected’ and ‘as expected’ on early childhood development. Perceived better housing affordability, objectively measured housing tenure (ownership) and perceived and objectively measured lower-density public housing were housing characteristics that emerged as points of difference for disadvantaged local communities where children had relatively better early childhood development outcomes. These characteristics are potential modifiable and policy sensitive housing levers for reducing early childhood development inequities.

The Impact of Reverse Isolation on Early Childhood Development

1973 ◽  
Vol 22 (2-6) ◽  
pp. 300-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Simons ◽  
K. Köhle ◽  
U. Genscher ◽  
M. Dietrich
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Early Childhood Development ◽  
Childhood Development ◽  
Reverse Isolation ◽  
The Impact
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