Early childhood developmental delay in Consuelo, Dominican Republic: A study of parental beliefs and early educational practices

Abstract

Background: Early childhood development (ECD) is a strong predictor of school readiness and academic achievement, which in turn predict health and economic productivity. Delays in ECD can cause lifelong negative effects on health and economic productivity. Positive parenting practices, including reading with young children, are associated with improved attachment and developmental outcomes. Studies have demonstrated that parental beliefs about reading predict the extent to which parents read with their children, and that children from low socio-economic status families generally receive less verbal engagement and access to reading. CHOP …