Understanding the development of young children in Singapore : insights from the analysis of Singapore Health Booklet items from the IED-III norming sample

• Main Author: Kan, Delia Dang Dang
• Other Authors: Poon Kin Loong, Kenneth
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/72398
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Purpose: Norms stated in the Singapore Health Booklet were established almost 30 years ago using Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) Singapore. Thus this study aimed to find out 90th percentile age norms (PAN) of developmental milestones from the Booklet matched to items in Brigance Inventory of Early Development (IED) III of the children of today, and investigate possible reasons for differences observed. Methods: IED III was administered to 1123 children aged between 2 to 6 years 11 months. Items tested on IED were then matched to items in 2014 Health Booklet. Logistic regression analyses and paired T-tests (P<0.1) were carried out. Results: 28 items were matched. 70% of 90th PAN derived from the sample were higher than Health Booklet 90th PAN. Overall, differences were statistically significant (0.000), but statistical significance of differences for individual items could not be determined. Sample demographics, items procedures and predictor variables were also analysed to account for differences observed in PAN. Conclusion: 90th PAN of developmental milestones were derived. However, it was inconclusive on whether differences found were a cause for concern with regards to changes in children development over the years. Follow up studies would be beneficial to reach a more informed conclusion.