The relationship between home environment and early childhood development of left-behind children under 3 years in rural China

Home environment provides stimulation and learning opportunities required for children’s early development. However, few studies have focused on the effects of home environment on left-behind children’s development in rural China. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between home environment and early childhood development of left-behind children under 3 years old in rural China. Information about sociodemographic characteristics, caregivers’ mental health, home environment and children’s development was collected. Infant/Toddler Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory (IT-HOME) was used to assess home environment. Child’s development was evaluated with the Chinese version of the Ages & Stages Questionnaire - third edition. Elevated caregivers’ depressive symptoms were associated with a higher risk of total suspected development delay. An increase of one score in the IT-HOME resulted in a 7% decrease in total suspected development delay. Higher scores in the dimensions of involvement and variety were associated with a lower risk of suspected development delay adjusting for covariates. Our results have implications for home-based intervention aiming at promoting nurturing care as well as caregivers’ mental health, which is required for early development of young left-behind children in rural areas of China. •Higher quality of home environment was related with better development of left-behind children under 3 in rural China.•Higher scores in dimensions of involvement and variety were associated with a lower risk of suspected development delay.•Elevated caregiver’s depressive symptoms were associated with worse development of young children.