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Birth outcomes and academic achievement in childhood: A population record linkage study
Moore, Elizabeth Harris, Felicity Laurens, Kristin R. Green, Melissa J. Brinkman, Sally Lenroot, Rhoshel K. Carr, Vaughan J.
Moore, Elizabeth
Harris, Felicity
Laurens, Kristin R.
Green, Melissa J.
Brinkman, Sally
Lenroot, Rhoshel K.
Carr, Vaughan J.
Abstract
Poor academic performance during childhood predicts later adverse outcomes, and could be targeted for improvement if detected early. This study used population-based record linkage to examine the association between early life risk factors and academic achievement at two different stages of development using two different cohorts: a kindergarten ( ~age 5 year s) and a grade 3 cohort (~age 8 years ). Similar factors were predictive of academic performance in both age groups, including positive effects of increasing maternal age and lack of maternal prenatal smoking. Female sex was associated with higher scores for literacy. The results suggest that children with less developed academic skills can be identified earlier, with effective programmes to enhance academic skills needed during the first year of school to enhance subsequent results.
Keywords
literacy, maternal prenatal smoking, numeracy, obstetric factors, record linkage
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Early Childhood Research
Book
Volume
12
Issue
3
Page Range
234-250
Article Number
ACU Department
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled