Early Childhood Development in Bangladesh and Its Socio-Demographic Determinants of Importance

Early childhood development (ECD) is a crucial determinant of adulthood capabilities. This paper investigates the current ECD status among young children of 3-4 years of age in Bangladesh and its relation to various socio-demographic and familial factors using data from the latest round of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). Results from the logistic regressions confirm many existing findings for developing countries and draw new insights specific to the country. Physical and mental disabilities hinder all types of early development. Enrolment in pre-school education programmes, the presence of children's books at home and parents' engagement in certain learning-stimulating activities are crucial for development in literacy-numeracy and learning. Development in the physical domain is fundamentally associated with wealth status. Failure to attain adequate social-emotional development can be largely attributed to domestic hostility toward children and mothers' experience of functional difficulties.