In a study done by researchers at The New York Academy of Sciences, they poverty is defined as anyone at an economic disadvantage in the environment and society around them. The researchers at New York Academy of Science found that there are many negative impacts on a developing child whose family is impoverished. Because families tend to be the first kind of social interactions child experiences, families who face poverty “are not only directly exposed to risks in their homes and communities, including illnesses, crowding and family stress, lack of psychosocial stimulation, and limited resources, but they often experience more serious consequences to risks than children from higher income families.” It is important for parents to children in low income homes to recognize and acknowledge physical and psychological stressors. Children with parents who are worried about money and work multiple jobs also tend to lack the essential social interactions that are primitive for development of a child’s language and speech skills and need additional accommodations in these categories of development.
Not only is substance abuse neglect to one’s own body but also a major health concern for babies that are still being carried inside of their mother’s womb. There are lots of health implications that a child can face if their mother uses drug while still pregnant, but there are also many negative effects drug use in a family has on the way a child is raised. Typically drug users are most interested in their drug of choice over their loved ones. This can cause children in the early childhood age to feel neglected causing them to act very irrationally. Around six months children learn to mimic the behaviors around them. Researchers from Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine found that “individuals who grow up in a family where there is Substance Use Disorder are at significantly higher risk to develop SUDs due to genetic and environmental factors.” This is why it is so important that if an adult is aware of these circumstances that the child be removed from the situation in order for them to grow in positive environment where they will no longer be exposed to these risk factors.
Another factor that can influence a child’s development is the quality of care they are receiving at daycares and early learning centers. The Child Care Checklist presented by Childcare Aware of America sets up rules and guidelines to follow in order to ensure each child is receiving the best care possible. It is important for parents to research where they are looking to send their child before actually placing them there. Some of the first things to look for would be the locations license and accreditation. Student-caregiver ratios also ensure that caregivers are able to give children the correct amount of supervision. The checklist can be found on the foundations website and if answers cannot be found on the daycare or early childcare center’s website, then it is recommended that parents schedule a tour of the facility to ask their own questions in person.
Engle, P. L. and Black, M. M. (2008), The Effect of Poverty on Child Development and Educational Outcomes. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1136: 243-255
Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of substance use disorders on families and children: from theory to practice. Social work in public health, 28(3-4), 194–205.
“Child Care Center Checklist.” Child Care Aware, www.childcareaware.org/child-care-center checklist/.