In-depth analysis of ECD Scales in Cambodia – Early child development scale findings

Abstract

A representative sample of 1,500 children in Cambodia was administered the East Asia-Pacific early Child Development Scales (EAP-ECDS) and children’s nutritional status determined from their height and weight. Children ranged in age from 3 to 5 years, and were from Khmer (urban and rural) and Ethnic Minority (rural) backgrounds. There was a relationship between geo-ethnicity and socio-economic status (SES), with about 60% of Ethnic Minority children from low SES families and about 45% of Urban majority children from high SES families. Children’s caregivers were interviewed to gather information about their participation in early childhood programmes; the child’s home learning environment; and the child’s health and habits. Findings indicated that (i) older children did better than younger children in all 7 domains of the EAP-ECDS; (ii) Urban children performed better than those from the Rural groups, and Khmer children outperformed those from the Ethnic Minority group in all domains of the EAP-ECDS, with the exception of Motor Development; (iii) The gap between Urban Khmer and the Rural Ethnic Minority group was larger amongst older children than younger children in domains related to school readiness; (iv) According to caregivers, children’s health status was similar across geo-ethnic and SES groups; (v) Children who attended ECE did much better of the EAP-ECDS than children who did not; (vi) Mothers were more engaged in home learning activities with their children than fathers; and (vii) Parents from high SES families engaged in more learning activities at home than other parents. Implications of the findings are discuss