Home-based child development interventions

The early years of a child's life are very important in terms of development and growth. Children who live in poverty, are socially excluded or have deprived family environments are at greater risk of developmental problems and poor health. Parenting and the quality of the home environment can help boost young children's development and counter any negative effects of growing up in a poor family.

A new Campbell review examines whether home-based child development interventions are effective at showing parents how to provide a better quality home environment for their child in order to improve child development. This review does not provide any evidence that home-based parenting programs are effective. Seven small studies were included in the review, however, they were of unclear quality and the most recent was 18 years old. The authors point out the need for high quality randomized controlled trials on home-based interventions specifically aimed at improving developmental outcomes for preschool children from disadvantaged families.

The review team was led by Sarah Miller, Assistant Deputy Director of the Centre for Effective Education at Queen's University Belfast School of Education.