Tracking early child development at the population level: Validation of the Kidsights Measurement Tool for children birth to age five years

Abstract

Abstract Background Group disparities in early child development arise due to inequities in early environments that are reflective of socio-economic status, geography, and other factors. To track and address these disparities, valid and reliable child development tools are needed that can be implemented at-scale and across populations. However, no population-based measures of child’s motor, cognitive, language, and social/emotional development appropriate for children from birth to age five years have been validated in the United States to date. In response, we have designed the Kidsights Measurement Tool (KMT). Methods We evaluate the validity and reliability evidence of the KMT with reference to the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (APA, AERA, & NCME, 2014) from a sample of N = 3,413 initial parent reports residing in Nebraska, USA, as well as from a 12–24-month direct observation follow-up subsample of N = 70 children. Evidence came from the test content, evidence based on other variables, and the precision of scores. Results We find strong evidence supporting the KTM’s validity and reliability (rXX' =.92) as a population-based tool. We find that scores from KMT’s initial administration strongly predict later scores from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (r > .50) and the Woodcock Johnson’s overall development score (r = .70), both administered by trained professionals at least one year later. We also find that scores exhibit expected associations with known correlates of children’s development, including the parent’s educational attainment, enrollment into governmental subsidies and services, parent’s anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the child’s count of adverse childhood experiences.