velasco, D. 1 , Egurza, M. 1 , Lertxundi, A. 1, 2, 4 , Aranbarri, A. 1, 4 , Begiristain, H. 4 , Santa Marina, L. 2, 3, 4 , Basterrechea, M. 2, 3, 4 , Ibarluzea, J. 2, 3, 4 & Arranz, E. 1
1 University of Basque Country, Spain
2 Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain
3 Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, Basque Government, Spain
4 Health Research Institute, Biodonostia, San Sebastián, Spain
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has reported that high scores in family context were associated with higher scores in cognitive development as measured by the Bayley Scales in areas such as cognitive and language development as well as motor skills. The aim of our study was to analyze the relationship between family ecology and cognitive development in kindergarten-age children. The working sample is drawn from 461 families in the INMA-Gipuzkoa cohort. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley scales while the quality of family context was evaluated using the ''Etxadi Gangoiti'' scale for 2 year olds. Results show that the higher the scores in family ecology, the higher scores obtained in cognitive development. Moreover, it is very important to note that we found differences in cognitive development depending on the quality of ''the stimulation of cognitive and linguistic development'' and on ''social-emotional stimulation''. In conclusion, family context is closely related to cognitive development. Moreover, a higher quality of family context favors children's cognitive development and should be taken it into account when conducting clinical and educational research into children's cognitive development.