Even less visible: disadvantaged children in disadvantaged countries

Sub-optimal development in childhood is associated with a range of environmental factors including poverty and exposure to violence; and is observable in many parts of the world, even in high-income countries. In some regions, however, risk factors often co-occur, and their cumulative effect compromises children's development to a greater extent. Yet, ironically, we know and talk little about them. In this speech, I will try to draw a picture depicting psychological development and wellbeing of children in underprivileged countries. I will present findings from our research in Turkey comparing language, cognitive and social development in institution-reared children and low-SES parent-reared children, and in children who live in disadvantaged conditions characterized by prolonged extreme poverty, and familial and political conflict. I will also look at current circumstances for these children after the covid-19 pandemic, and will make suggestions about how we can make use of technology to support children’s development at an early age.