Key Findings
Importance of Maternal Behavior during Pregnancy
The actions of a mother during pregnancy are important and can affect a child’s development during early childhood. EGDS is investigating the factors that can change harmful pregnancy behavior.
Early Childhood Behavior Markers
EGDS has detected certain signals in early childhood behaviors that can predict later child behavior. This can help inform early intervention strategies and promote healthy growth and development.
Parents Matter
The actions a parent takes as their child grows up has an effect on their developmental outcomes. You can read more about this by viewing our most recent publications!
Relationship between the Mother’s BMI and this Child’s BMI
A higher BMI in a biological mother seemed to be associated with greater stability in child BMI. This may indicate that children who are genetically predisposed to have higher BMI’s may be less sensitive to environmental factors that had an impact on other children.
Mood Regulation and BMI
Children who were more able to regulate their behaviors had a more stable BMI. This could mean that these children have more control over their food intake. Conversely, children who displayed outward fear, sadness, anger, and frustration had less stable BMI’s. These together might mean that children who are more sensitive to environmental factors have less stable BMI’s.
Quiet Homes and BMI
Children who lived in quieter, more orderly homes had a more stable BMI. This could mean that these environments encouraged more consistent eating habits.
Parental Relationships
Parental relationships may have an effect on child development. EDGS found that when parents have supportive relationships, this positive environment can affect a child’s mood and quality of sleep.
Results of Warm Parenting
Warm parenting behaviors, such as telling the child they are appreciated, was shown to be associated with lower teacher-reported rule-breaking behavior and classroom aggression. This solidifies warm parenting as a positive environmental factor in child development.