Menu
07/12/2010
Ulster Children Developing 'Unequally'
Research published today has highlighted a range of inequalities in the development of young children between the ages of five and seven.
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister's report, 'The consequences at age seven of early childhood disadvantage in Northern Ireland and Great Britain' was produced by a research team at the Institute of Education in London and examined children's cognitive, educational, behavioural, health and obesity outcomes at age seven.
Children here are more likely to be overweight than children in Great Britain at age seven.
Children who were overweight at age five had an overwhelmingly greater risk of being overweight at age seven.
Girls and only children were more likely to become overweight between the ages of five and seven.
Parents who are overweight and mothers' smoking behaviour are substantial risk factors related to children being overweight at age seven.
The report also showed that in relation to both cognitive development and to teacher assessments of educational development, children with low birth weights and those from lower social class groups, in particular the children of the long term unemployed and semi-routine and routine workers are particularly disadvantaged in terms of both educational and cognitive development between the ages of five and seven.
Both low birth weight and parental social class stand out as more important in predicting a child's progress between the ages of five and seven than either parental education level or parenting behaviour.
Whilst overall, children in Northern Ireland were better behaved compared to children in Great Britain the research indicates that being a boy is a strong predictor of increased behavioural difficulties between the ages of five and seven.
Parental psychological distress and longstanding illness and disability are also robust predictors of increased behavioural difficulties between these ages.
In broad terms, one of the strongest factors related to the various outcomes for children at the age of seven, were their outcomes on these measures at age five.
On that basis, outcomes, shaped and influenced by the various individual, social, economic and parental influences at age five, were amongst the strongest predictor of outcomes at age seven.
Factors relating to widening and narrowing developmental gaps between the ages of five and seven varied according to which indicator of child progress was being considered.
Social and economic disadvantage shaped cognitive and educational development most strongly, followed by behavioural outcomes, but had a far less marked pattern in relation to children's general health and overweight.
Being a boy, and parents' physical and mental health are important predictors of change in child behaviour and child health between the ages of five and seven, while parents' overweight is important in predicting change in children's overweight.
(BMcC/KMcA)
The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister's report, 'The consequences at age seven of early childhood disadvantage in Northern Ireland and Great Britain' was produced by a research team at the Institute of Education in London and examined children's cognitive, educational, behavioural, health and obesity outcomes at age seven.
Children here are more likely to be overweight than children in Great Britain at age seven.
Children who were overweight at age five had an overwhelmingly greater risk of being overweight at age seven.
Girls and only children were more likely to become overweight between the ages of five and seven.
Parents who are overweight and mothers' smoking behaviour are substantial risk factors related to children being overweight at age seven.
The report also showed that in relation to both cognitive development and to teacher assessments of educational development, children with low birth weights and those from lower social class groups, in particular the children of the long term unemployed and semi-routine and routine workers are particularly disadvantaged in terms of both educational and cognitive development between the ages of five and seven.
Both low birth weight and parental social class stand out as more important in predicting a child's progress between the ages of five and seven than either parental education level or parenting behaviour.
Whilst overall, children in Northern Ireland were better behaved compared to children in Great Britain the research indicates that being a boy is a strong predictor of increased behavioural difficulties between the ages of five and seven.
Parental psychological distress and longstanding illness and disability are also robust predictors of increased behavioural difficulties between these ages.
In broad terms, one of the strongest factors related to the various outcomes for children at the age of seven, were their outcomes on these measures at age five.
On that basis, outcomes, shaped and influenced by the various individual, social, economic and parental influences at age five, were amongst the strongest predictor of outcomes at age seven.
Factors relating to widening and narrowing developmental gaps between the ages of five and seven varied according to which indicator of child progress was being considered.
Social and economic disadvantage shaped cognitive and educational development most strongly, followed by behavioural outcomes, but had a far less marked pattern in relation to children's general health and overweight.
Being a boy, and parents' physical and mental health are important predictors of change in child behaviour and child health between the ages of five and seven, while parents' overweight is important in predicting change in children's overweight.
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 October 2004
Agencies must work together to put children first, says Gardiner
Education Minister Barry Gardiner has challenged the education sector to help make a difference in the lives of children, by working together to put children first. Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Association of Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards, he said that all those involved in education had an important role to play.
Agencies must work together to put children first, says Gardiner
Education Minister Barry Gardiner has challenged the education sector to help make a difference in the lives of children, by working together to put children first. Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Association of Northern Ireland Education and Library Boards, he said that all those involved in education had an important role to play.
07 August 2003
One in three children born out of wedlock
One in three children born in Northern Ireland are conceived outside of marriage, new figures have revealed. The figure was part of statistics released today on the number of births and deaths registered in Northern Ireland in 2002, according to a new survey by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
One in three children born out of wedlock
One in three children born in Northern Ireland are conceived outside of marriage, new figures have revealed. The figure was part of statistics released today on the number of births and deaths registered in Northern Ireland in 2002, according to a new survey by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.
09 August 2022
NI Children's Hospice Invest In New Specialist Mobility Equipment
The NI Children's Hospice has invested in new specialist mobility equipment with the recent granting of funds from the Energy for Children Charitable Trust.
NI Children's Hospice Invest In New Specialist Mobility Equipment
The NI Children's Hospice has invested in new specialist mobility equipment with the recent granting of funds from the Energy for Children Charitable Trust.
12 November 2019
QUB: Resource Launched To Support Children In Violence
Academics at Queen's University Belfast have launched a training resource aimed at enhancing responses to violence against children.
QUB: Resource Launched To Support Children In Violence
Academics at Queen's University Belfast have launched a training resource aimed at enhancing responses to violence against children.
24 September 2012
Inquiry Hears Of Child Deaths In Local Hosptials
The deaths of five children while in hospital are being investigated as part of a public inquiry. The parents of nine-year-old Claire Roberts, who died in hospital in 1996, wept as details of her death were read out. The hearing was told that Claire was overdosed with medication and excess fluids.
Inquiry Hears Of Child Deaths In Local Hosptials
The deaths of five children while in hospital are being investigated as part of a public inquiry. The parents of nine-year-old Claire Roberts, who died in hospital in 1996, wept as details of her death were read out. The hearing was told that Claire was overdosed with medication and excess fluids.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
