This study investigates the relationship between household income and the effects of remittances from parents living outside the household on early childhood outcomes, based on data from the RIECE Thailand Project (2016), using a sample of 1,666 young children in Maha Sarakham and Kalasin provinces.
The study found that household income and household income level groups had a positive effect on children’s skill factor scores, supporting age-appropriate development. In contrast, remittances from parents living outside the household had no effect on children’s skills, while the mother’s absence from the household had a negative effect. Regarding children’s chronic diseases, household income was not found to be a significant factor. However, remittances from parents outside the household were associated with a reduced likelihood of such conditions. Conversely, the absence of either the mother or both parents tended to increase the likelihood of chronic illness. Additionally, the study of physical growth in children from birth to age five revealed that household income, household income level, and remittances from parents outside the household were associated with a reduced likelihood of being underweight or wasted. However, the absence of the father or mother was associated with an increased likelihood of these conditions. In the case of stunting and overweight, household income showed no significant effect. Remittances, however, were associated with an increased risk of stunting, while they had no effect on the likelihood of being overweight. The absence of the father and/or mother from the household also had no significant impact on overweight.
This study further examined the effects of total household income and the time parents spent caring for children on children’s skill factor scores, based on the skill categories defined by the Denver II early childhood development guidelines. The findings indicated that: (1) Expressive Language – Total household income and caregiving time by both fathers and mothers had a positive effect on expressive language skills. (2) Fine Motor – Neither total household income nor caregiving time by fathers and mothers had a significant effect on fine motor skills. (3) Personal and Social – Only caregiving time by fathers had a positive effect on personal and social skills. (4) Receptive Language – Total household income and caregiving time by both fathers and mothers had no significant effect on receptive language skills.