Which factor is categorized as a family risk for development?

• A. Low parental education
• B. Large family size
• C. Poor health of family members
• D. High socio-economic status

Answer: (A)

Low parental education is a key family risk factor for development because a parent’s education level strongly shapes the home learning environment. When parents have less education, they may have fewer resources and strategies to support early learning—like reading with the child, providing stimulating activities, and guiding language and cognitive development. This can lead to fewer opportunities for practice with literacy, language, and problem-solving, which are crucial in the early years. Parental education also influences how families navigate health care, education systems, and access to supportive services, all of which affect development over time.

While other factors can play a role, high socio-economic status typically provides protective resources, and large family size or poor health can contribute to risk in some contexts, the most consistent and impactful predictor among these options is low parental education because it directly shapes daily experiences that drive development.