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Parenting Knowledge, Parental Investments, and Early Childhood Development in Rural Households in Western China

Author

Listed:
  • Jingdong Zhong

    (School of Economics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Yang He

    (China Center for Agricultural Policy, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Jingjing Gao

    (China Center for Agricultural Policy, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Tianyi Wang

    (China Center for Agricultural Policy, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Renfu Luo

    (China Center for Agricultural Policy, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationships between caregivers’ parenting knowledge and early childhood development, based on a survey conducted in 1715 rural households in 100 villages located in an undeveloped rural area of western China. The results find that, first, caregivers’ parenting knowledge is positively and significantly associated with children’s development outcomes, including cognitive, language, motor, and social–emotional development; second, caregivers’ parental investments significantly mediate the link between parenting knowledge and early childhood development; third, in contrast with other parental investments, play materials (in terms of variety and quantity) and play activities in the households are the strongest mediators. Our findings might be informative for policy makers to design policies targeted to foster human capital formation in rural China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingdong Zhong & Yang He & Jingjing Gao & Tianyi Wang & Renfu Luo, 2020. "Parenting Knowledge, Parental Investments, and Early Childhood Development in Rural Households in Western China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2792-:d:347170
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    Cited by:

    1. Hannah Johnstone & Yi Yang & Hao Xue & Scott Rozelle, 2021. "Infant Cognitive Development and Stimulating Parenting Practices in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-16, May.
    2. Bai, Yu & Emmers, Dorien & Li, Ying & Tang, Lei, 2022. "Parental locus of control and early childhood development: Evidence on parent and grandparent caregivers in rural China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    3. Tayyeba Kiran & Rabia Sattar & Mina Husain & Sadia Shah & Rakhshi Memon & Nasim Chaudhry, 2023. "Learning Through Play (LTP) Parenting Program: Capacity Building of Traditional Birth Attendants in Pakistan," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Marina Sayuri Yakuwa & Letícia Pancieri & Sarah Neill & Débora Falleiros de Mello, 2022. "Mothers’ Understanding of Brain Development in Early Childhood: A Qualitative Study in Brazil," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    5. Jingdong Zhong & Lena Kuhn & Tianyi Wang & Chengfang Liu & Renfu Luo, 2020. "The Interrelationships between Parental Migration, Home Environment, and Early Child Development in Rural China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, May.
    6. Pilar Ridao & Isabel López-Verdugo & Carmen Reina-Flores, 2021. "Parental Beliefs about Childhood and Adolescence from a Longitudinal Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    7. Siqi Zhang & Lei Wang & Yue Xian & Yu Bai, 2020. "Mental Health Issues among Caregivers of Young Children in Rural China: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Links to Child Developmental Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, December.
    8. Jingdong Zhong & Renfu Luo, 2020. "Interrelationships of Parenting Information, Family Care, and Child Development: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-15, August.
    9. Ke Cui & Timothy Sim & Ting Xu, 2020. "Psychosocial Well-Being of School-Aged Children Born to Bereaved ( Shidu ) Families: Associations with Mothers’ Quality of Life and Involvement Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-13, June.

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