Children and the Physical Environment

Abstract

Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory of child development provides the framework for this chapter. We present research that examines the role of the home environment in children's cognitive and socioemotional development. The child's experience in the home is a product of the child's abilities and personality, the opportunities to engage in meaningful interactions with objects and people in the home, and the physical characteristics of the home. It is this system, identified by Bronfenbrenner as a microsystem, of interactions that guide child development. Physical environmental attributes related to child developmental outcomes are crowding, privacy, noise, and housing quality.

Investigating Cumulative Exposures among 3- to 4-Year-Old Children Using Wearable Ultrafine Particle Sensors and Language Environment Devices: A Pilot and Feasibility Study

“…Additionally, the protocol includes physical environmental stressors like noise and fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) because they have also been shown to have similar negative impacts on children's academic readiness as psychosocial stresses. For example, chronic exposure to noise from roadways or airports is associated with impairments in focused attention [3], literacy [1], and pre-literacy skills [2]. Ambient noise in the home has been shown to impact children's time spent engaged in toy play and focused attention [3], the extent parents are engaged with and responsive to their children [4], and the quantity and quality of child-directed language in the presence of background television noise [4].…”

“…In an increasingly complex world, it is recognized that traditional environmental health research evaluating chemical and non-chemical stressors separately is insufficient in addressing future challenges, and more complex approaches and interdisciplinary strategies are needed [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Chemical and non-chemical stressors often co-occur, particularly in more economically vulnerable populations [ 7 ].…”