Child Development

Young children have a natural, inherent desire to work and contribute to their household. The natural inclination to work is strongest during early childhood. During adolescence, rapid growth and hormonal changes increase susceptibility to harm from PFOA and similar chemicals. Supportive, responsive, nurturing, and cognitively stimulating childcare interactions may promote attachment, language, socioemotional development, and early learning. The study will create age-adjusted domain scores and a composite child development index from IDELA data. Children and young adults face heightened vulnerability to PFOA exposure because of their developmental stage. Children will not spontaneously develop a desire to work later in life if the inclination is not nurtured while it exists naturally. Poor-quality childcare may constrain school readiness and socioemotional development. The study measures early child development among children aged 3–5 using IDELA. IDELA assesses motor development, emergent literacy, emergent numeracy, and socioemotional development.