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Effects of temperature exposures on early childhood cognitive development and home environment

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  • Wu, Wenjie
  • Yang, Zhe
  • Kim, Jun Hyung
  • Yue, Ai

Abstract

Daily exposure to suboptimal temperature with inadequate protection can undermine children’s development, but evidence is limited in the range of temperature and the set of developmental outcomes. Using a unique panel study in disadvantaged rural communities, we find that children’s exposures to low temperature undermine cognitive development during early childhood. In addition, caregiver–child interactions and material investments are lower for households exposed to low temperature, highlighting their limited capacity to adapt and the potential for persistent effects on children’s long-term outcomes through home environment. Our findings show the need to account for a broad range of temperature variations when promoting children’s development, and propose home environment as a novel policy channel to counter the negative temperature effects on children.

Suggested Citation

  • Wu, Wenjie & Yang, Zhe & Kim, Jun Hyung & Yue, Ai, 2025. "Effects of temperature exposures on early childhood cognitive development and home environment," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:132:y:2025:i:c:s0095069625000464
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2025.103162
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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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