The importance of child development

Child development: what is it and why does it matter?
The importance of child development
The first three years after birth are one of rapid growth and development, as a child’s brain creates complex neural pathways at an unprecedented speed.¹ By age six, the brain has developed to 90% of its adult size,² as children continue to absorb a staggering amount of information from their experiences and environment. These early experiences, both good and bad, lay the foundation for a child’s future survival, growth, health and wellbeing.^3,4 Research has consistently shown that good early childhood development will have a direct positive impact on a child’s long-term health outcomes and will improve future opportunities, school attainment and even earning potential.⁵ Particularly important is the impact of this period on a child’s emotional and social development, which is vital for their future confidence, communication, relationships, community inclusion and mental health.
Early childhood development is a period of great opportunity, but also one of great vulnerability. Many children cannot realise their full potential because of adverse conditions in their environment. For example, evidence from Pakistan showed that children who receive little sensory stimulation in their rural homes are vulnerable to stunting, low-weight and decreased psychomotor development.⁶ Factors like inadequate nutrition, environmental toxins, unstable caregiving, limited stimulation and stress can all negatively impact on a child’s development. Children living in poverty and fragile living conditions, such as war or displacement, are particularly vulnerable to inadequate development.^3,7 These adverse childhood experiences may also cluster and be compounded over time. For instance, a child living in poverty is more likely to experience stress, malnutrition and unstable caregiving, all of which negatively impact on child development.
Adverse effects to child development in the first years of life can have life-long consequences and can negatively impact on school readiness and learning potential, mental and physical health as an adult, resilience to stress and resolving conflict, as well as depleted family resources and inter-generational poverty.⁸ However, recovery is possible with appropriate intervention and support. Investment in child development policies and programmes will result in long-term returns, as children with adequate support in their early years are healthier, better educated and more likely to contribute to society and the global economy.⁵