SCORCHING temperatures appear to affect key developmental skills, with researchers finding that heat exposure above 32°C is linked to lower early childhood development scores across multiple countries. The study revealed pronounced impacts on literacy, numeracy, and overall developmental readiness.
Climate Vulnerability and Rising Heat Exposure
As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists are increasingly concerned about how heat exposure in early life may impair developmental milestones. The research examined children aged three and four from six countries with diverse climatic profiles. By merging population level survey data with satellite derived temperature records, investigators assessed whether sustained heat exposure influences core developmental skills that shape lifelong trajectories.
Statistical Evidence from Six-Country Analysis
Using linear probability models with geographic and seasonality fixed effects, researchers analysed outcomes on the Early Childhood Development Index for 19,607 children across Georgia, The Gambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and the State of Palestine. Ambient temperature estimates were drawn from the ERA5 Land Monthly Aggregated Climate Dataset, focusing on mean monthly maximum temperatures from birth to interview. Results showed that children exposed to average maximum temperatures above 32°C were less likely to be developmentally on track than those experiencing cooler conditions. Domain specific effects were strongest for literacy and numeracy, while subgroup analyses indicated that negative impacts were particularly severe among economically disadvantaged households, urban populations, and children without adequate water and sanitation. These findings remained robust after adjusting for baseline climatic conditions and relevant covariates.
Implications For Clinical Practice and Policy
For clinicians, the results underline the importance of considering environmental factors, including chronic heat exposure, when assessing developmental risk. Early childhood services may need to incorporate heat sensitive screening protocols and guide families on protective behaviours. At a policy level, the findings point to the urgent need for climate resilient child health strategies, including improved housing, access to sanitation, and community-based cooling interventions. Future research should refine risk thresholds and evaluate targeted interventions to safeguard developmental outcomes in a warming world.
Reference
Cuartas J et al. Ambient heat and early childhood development: a cross-national analysis. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines. 2025;DOI:10.1111/jcpp.70081.
