Project Type

TÜBİTAK 1001 Scientific Research Project

Data Source

TURKSTAT Child Survey (2022)

Research Method

Regression Discontinuity Design (RDD)

Target Group

Children aged 0-5

Maternal Education

Increases in maternal education have positive effects on certain self-care and cognitive skills of children, such as dressing independently, forming sentences, and counting.

Paternal Education

Paternal education is found to have significant effects on children’s living conditions, hygiene and eating habits.

Nutrition

Parental education promotes healthier dietary habits by increasing children’s consumption of meat, milk, eggs, and grains.

Living Conditions

Children of more educated fathers are found to be more likely to have their own rooms.

The Effects of Maternal Education on Child Well-Being

1. Children are found to be more likely to dress independently.
2. Early cognitive skills, such as sentence formation and counting, are stronger.
3. An increase in the consumption of meat and grains is observed among children.
4. Children tend to exhibit more active social interactions and play behaviors.

These findings suggest that maternal education plays a significant role in shaping child-care practices and early cognitive development.

The Effects of Paternal Education on Child Well-Being

1. Children are found to be more likely to have their own rooms.
2. Children are found to have stronger oral hygiene habits, such as tooth brushing.
3. Children are found to be less likely to feel sad or unhappy.
4. In some cases, fathers are found to be more likely to engage in activities with their children, such as singing together.

These findings suggest that paternal education plays a significant role in shaping children’s living conditions, health behaviors, and children’s emotional well-being and parent–child interaction.

Early Childhood Education Programs

Parent-focused early childhood development programs should be expanded.

Nutrition Education

Publicly supported training programs on healthy nutrition for parents should be strengthened.

Oral and Dental Health Programs

Awareness of hygiene and dental health should be increased during the pre-school period.

Social Play Environments

Free play environments should be encouraged to enhance children’s peer interaction..