The Effects Of Environmental Risk Factors On Child Development And Educational Achievement Abstract

Abstract

This study examines the multidimensional effects of environmental risk factors on child development and educational achievement. The environment in which a child grows up encompasses various elements, including physical conditions, socioeconomic status, family structure, social relationships, and cultural values. Adverse environmental conditions encountered during early childhood can disrupt cognitive, emotional, and social development, playing a decisive role in long-term academic success. Environmental risks such as poverty, malnutrition, parental neglect, domestic violence, chronic stress, migration, and natural disasters directly affect children’s learning processes, leading to issues such as attention deficits, low self-esteem, academic underachievement, and school dropout.In this context, recent theoretical and empirical studies in the fields of developmental psychology and educational sciences have been reviewed to comprehensively assess the impact of environmental risks on children’s developmental outcomes. The findings indicate that these risks can be mitigated through early intervention programs and support mechanisms within the family and school settings. Consequently, the development of holistic and preventive social policies is of critical importance to ensure equal educational opportunities for children growing up in disadvantaged environments. Creating supportive environmental conditions for child development is also a crucial requirement for sustainable development at both the individual and societal levels.