Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2019, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (3): 1-16.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2019.03.001

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Challenges and Possible Solutions for Children 0-3 Years Old in Poor Rural China

Yue Ai1, Cai Jianhua2, Bai Yu1, Tang Lei1, Shi Yaojiang1, Luo Renfu3, Scott Rozelle4   

  1. 1. Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China;
    2. Executive Leadership Training Center, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Beijing 100024, China;
    3. School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China;
    4. Rural Education Action Program(REAP), Freeman SpogliInstitute for International Studies, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
  • Online:2019-05-20 Published:2019-05-21

Abstract: Brain development during the first 1000 days of life is critical and has the greatest return to investment. This paper describes the challenges for cognitive, language and social emotional development, as well as health, for children 0-3 years old in rural China. Based on the result of randomized control trials on early childhood development, we also offer some possible solutions to address these challenges. We find that almost half of the children surveyed in rural China are at risk for cognitive delays, and the risk of delay increases over time. The reason behind this is that caregivers in poor rural areas overall do not engage in interactive parenting practices; they are also at risk for depression and do not engage in proper feeding practices. Only 13 percent of the caregivers tell stories to their children using story books. In addition, 23.5 percent of caregivers experience depression. Most of the caregivers also lack knowledge of proper feeding practices for young children. Based on these findings, this study proposes that policy makers implement home visiting programs, establish early childhood development centers and develop other policy solutions to address these problems. It's hoped that the government can consider the circumstances of rural children and increase investment in early childhood development, which can help solve the high rates of developmental delays among rural children and promote human capital development.

Key words: poor rural area, 0-3 years old children, early development, challenge and solution