Exploring the Impact of Socioeconomic Status and Physical Play on Early Childhood Development

Abstract

This research investigates the intricate relationships between socioeconomic status (SES) and physical play in early childhood development within the unique context of Macau. Our study reveals that parental education levels are associated with conducive home environments for child development, characterized by larger play spaces, diverse toys, and increased participation in physical activities and extracurriculars. This study found a significant correlation between media screen activity and involvement in extracurriculars or physical activity programs, highlighting the need to explore the multifaceted influences on children's media consumption. This study emphasizes the importance of parental education in creating nurturing environments for child development and the crucial need for an in-depth understanding of media screen activity's role in early childhood. Our findings bear implications for academia and policymakers, educators, and parents, underscoring the importance of supportive environments that facilitate physical play, promote parental education, and encourage healthy media usage habits for optimal child development outcomes. However, a larger and more diverse sample size in future research could enhance these findings' external validity.