Early Childhood Development Stimulation: One Way Of Measuring

Abstract

Supportive, warm, and psychologically stimulative interactions between caregivers and children are very important factors of the child’s development and represent an indicator of care quality. However, there are no direct or self-reported instruments for estimating the quality of early childhood stimulation in Serbia. This research aims to (1) determine psychometric and descriptive properties of the constructed instrument, and (2) investigate the correlation between the frequency of these activities, socioeconomic status, and the developmental status of the child. Based on the Early Learning and Developmental Standards for children in Serbia, the Inventory of Stimulative Activities for Child Development (ISCAD) was constructed. The obtained results indicate good psychometric characteristics of the new instrument. A significant correlation with the developmental status of the child is observed. No significant correlations were found with the mother’s education or economic status.