How poverty affects children's development

Working for a Head Start program, I see daily how poverty can be a stresser in a child's life.  President Johnson talks about poverty being like a family birthmark that is passed down from generations (Johnson, 1965).  With poverty can come unsuitable housing, lack of nutritious meals, lack of medical attention, and minimal educational support.  These stressors can cause caregivers to abuse and neglect their children, which will have negative effects on a young child's development.  Biosocially children may not grow properly or may not thrive if proper nutrition is not available.  Lack of medical attention also negatively impacts a child's biosocial development.  Language development may be delayed if parent do not see the benefits of quality interactions with their children in their youngest years.  Early childhood is a prime learning period (Berger, 2009).  Programs, such as Head Start, help parents to understand the importance of quality interactions, medical attention, proper housing, and nutrition and exercise. 

I chose to research how poverty affects Haiti and how natural disasters, like hurricanes, are a direct result of poverty, in the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.  With oil too expensive for this poverish country, the people have resorted to using charcoal from burnt trees for energy (Masters, 2011).  Large amount of cut trees have left empty mountain slopes that allows rainwater to wash down unimpeded.  In 1980, Haiti had 25% of its forest remaining and the country was able to withstand a category 3 hurricane with no lives taken.  However, only 1.4% of the forest remain and only heavy rains from a tropical storm are enough to take thousands of lives (Masters, 2011).  Children are affected as their families are torn apart from death and disaster.  Education and poverty eradication are necessary for improvement.  Reforestation efforts and promoting of alternative fuels is necessary. 


Berger, K.S. (2009).  The Developing Person (5th edition).  New York, NY:  Worth Publishers.

Johnson, L. (1965, May 18).  [Project Head Start speech].  Speech presented at the White House, Washington D.C.

Masters, J.  (2011).  Hurricanes and Haiti:  A Tragic History.  Retrieved from:  http://wunderground.com/