Risk Factor Articles: Early Child Development

Early Child Development (August 2009) World Health Organization Retrieved on February 11, 2012 from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs332/en/index.html

This article looks at the affects of environmental risk factors on the developing brain from the prenatal period to eight years of age. It covers early brain development, risk factors, interventions, and economic impact. It also discusses the WHO response to the issue. The article is informative because it details what happens to the brain during development and why reducing risk factors in early development of the brain is crucial to the well being of the child. "Many challenges faced by adults, such as mental health issues, obesity, heart disease, criminality, and poor literacy and numeracy, can be traced back to early childhood." (WHO)
This article also describes the type of environment a child needs is important to their brain's development as well as the care from parents and caregivers. "The more stimulating the early environment, the more a child develops and learns. Language and cognitive development are especially important during the first six months to three years of life." (WHO)
According to this article "four risk factors affect at least 20-25% of infants and young children in developing countries: malnutrition that is chronic and severe enough to cause growth stunting, inadequate stimulation or learning opportunities, iodine deficiency, and iron deficiency anaemia." (WHO) These are just a few risk factors that affect children as there are many more. Other risk factors include malaria, intrauterine growth restriction, maternal depression, exposure to violence, and exposure to heavy metals. This article also looks at interventions that can help children "to reach their potential, young children need to spend time in a caring, responsive environment that protects them from neglect and inappropriate disapproval and punishment." (WHO) The economic impact of children that experience risk factors that cause problems during the development of the brain can be avoided. "Early opportunities for learning in combination with improved nutrition, increases the likelihood that a child will attend school and become an adult with higher income, better health, lower crime rates, and lower levels of welfare dependence than those who do not receive early development support." (WHO)

This article would be beneficial to parents because it helps them understand the development of their child's brain during pregnancy and throughout childhood. It clearly lays out the risk factors and interventions. "Early child development (EDC) interventions provide direct learning experiences to children and families. They are targeted to young and disadvantaged children, high quality and long lasting, and integrated with family support, health, nutrition, or education systems and services." (WHO) Parents and caretakers alike can benefit from reading this article and they will learn how important the health care system and health care providers will also be beneficial in providing valuable resources to them to ensure that the child gets the help and support needed. "Health care providers are trusted sources of information for families and can give critical guidance about how to communicate with infants and children, ways to stimulate children for better growth, how to handle such common developmental problems as sleep, feeding, and discipline, and ways to reduce common childhood injuries." (WHO)