Developmental Outcomes of Children From an Urban Middle-Income South African Setting

• DOI: 10.1080/1034912x.2021.1998888
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02T08:46:20Z
• Authors: Megan Wrigglesworth; Jeannie van der L...; Renata Eccles; Marien Graham; Maria du Toit
• Keywords: Gross motor skill; Child Development; Developmental Milestone; Middle income

Early childhood development research typically focusses on populations that are either of upper or lower socioeconomic status. A population especially overlooked is the ‘missing-middle’, represented by middle-income, urban populations. Knowledge children’s from middle-income to guide implementation and customisation early intervention policies, needed. The Vineland-3 was used describe developmental outcomes 55 young children, six 24 months old, an urban, setting in South Africa. mHealth PEDS identify caregivers’ concerns. Caregivers’ concerns were positively associated with their (φ = 0.355; p .024), emphasising valuable contribution identification delays. Fifteen percent (n 8) participants’ children presented delays, low birth weight identified as a significant risk 0.415; .011) higher maternal education protective factor 0.365; .016). High gross motor proficiency appears be strength within this population, while receptive language play skills require attention. should prioritised across all classes help ensure ‘missing-middle’ do not miss out opportunity thrive.