Socioeconomic Status And Developmental Milestone: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Socioeconomic status (SES) significantly influences early childhood developmental milestones, creating disparities in cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional domains. This comparative study examined developmental milestone achievement across different socioeconomic strata in Indian children aged 0-6 years. The primary objective was to assess the relationship between parental education, family income, and developmental outcomes. A cross-sectional research design was employed with 450 children from low, middle, and high SES families in urban and rural settings. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) was utilized for developmental assessment. The hypothesis proposed significant differences in milestone achievement across SES groups. Results revealed that children from high SES families achieved developmental milestones earlier and more comprehensively than their low SES counterparts. Specifically, 78% of high SES children achieved age-appropriate milestones compared to 54% in low SES groups. Language and cognitive domains showed the most significant disparities. Statistical analysis using ANOVA indicated significant differences (p<0.001) across all developmental domains. The study concludes that targeted early intervention programs and policy initiatives addressing socioeconomic inequalities are crucial for optimal child development and reducing developmental gaps.