Effects of Social Disparities on Early Child Development: Results Based on European Birth Cohort Studies

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

The session addresses the effects of social inequality in early childhood. Based on data of longitudinal large-scale birth cohort studies from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, the impact of family background variables on child development are analyzed. Focusing on preschool age, we disentangle how social background variables affect child development – regarding language, motor, and socio-emotional development. Going beyond the home-learning environment in the family, effects of social background on the decision for institutionalized care are included in the session. For a long-term perspective, effects of early social disparities and development in early childhood on educational achievement in adolescence are also considered. All results are discussed with respect to options for attenuating negative effects of social risk factors in childhood.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Early Education and Child Development

Chairs

• Jutta von Maurice, LIfBi Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories

• Sabine Weinert, University of Bamberg

Papers

• Effect of Early Social Disparities on Developmental Trajectories From Birth to Two Years of Age - Bertrand Geay, Institut National des Etudes Démographiques; Pierig Humeau, Groupe de Recherches et d’Etudes, France; Emilie Spruyt, University of Picardie

• Parenting: Risk or Protection? - Wei Huang, Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories; Sabine Weinert, University of Bamberg; Manja Attig, Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories; Jutta von Maurice, LIfBi Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories

• Social Disparities in the Decision for Center-Based Care in Early Childhood - Gwendolin J. Blossfeld, University of Bamberg

• Modelling of Education Outcomes: How Do Childhood and Socioeconomic Factors Link to Later Educational Achievement? - Helen Wareham, Newcastle University; James Law, Newcastle University