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  • Predicting Adolescent and Y...
    Whitaker, Anamarie A.; Yoo, Paul Y.; Vandell, Deborah Lowe; Duncan, Greg J.; Burchinal, Margaret

    Developmental psychology, 12/2023, Volume: 59, Issue: 12
    Journal Article

    Children's early environmental experiences are often considered highly influential for later life development. Yet, environmental contexts, such as the home and early care and education (ECE) setting, and multiple aspects of each setting, are not typically examined concurrently. In this study, we examined associations between cognitive stimulation and emotional support in the home and ECE setting during the preschool years (36-54 months) with adolescent (age 15; n = 708; 52% female) and adult (age 26; n = 584; 54% female) outcomes using data from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, a study conducted at 10 sites across the United States. Cognitive stimulation in the home was significantly related to increased academic achievement at age 15 and educational attainment at age 26. Home emotional support was related to decreased behavior problems and increased social skills at age 15. No significant associations were found between either emotional support or cognitive stimulation in ECE and children's later development. These findings provide further support that the child's home environment during early childhood plays a substantial role in development. Public Significance Statement We examined how elements of the home and early care and education environments are related to children's long-term development. We find that cognitive stimulation provided in the home was correlated with children's long-term educational achievement and attainment in young adulthood. Our findings underscore the lasting association between home quality and development, and highlight the need for further research on the topic to inform future interventions.