Key highlights from the statistics state:
"More than half (54 per cent) of all children in poverty in Wales live in a household with a 0-4 year old" (…) Poverty decreases sharply as the age of the youngest child in the household increases"[1].
"(…) the poverty rate amongst children in families whose youngest child is 5-10 years more than halves to 23 per cent, and falls to 21 per cent amongst children in families whose youngest child is aged 10 – 15 years. With poverty amongst working aged adults standing at 21 per cent, child poverty among families with older children is broadly consistent with the older population"[2].
Although poverty rates of children in all age categories is unsettling, we wish to raise particular concern about the number of children in the 0-4 age category experiencing poverty, which is seen to be almost double the rate of children in older age groups. Children experiencing poverty face greater difficulty in accessing the support they need to help them develop, as financial uncertainty and job insecurity often mean parents must make cutbacks to their quality of life in order to keep up with the cost of living, such as deciding whether to heat their home, or feed their children.
Furthermore, this blog will explore the concept of 'toxic stress' developing from children's exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACE's). The term 'toxic stress' is taken from the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative, who state that children can experience toxic stress "when no supportive caregivers are around to buffer a child's response to repeated negative experiences. Things that cause toxic stress may include abuse, neglect, parental addiction or mental illness, violence in or outside the home, and chaotic environments"[1]. This can have a negative impact on children, as these experiences can weaken "brain architecture and can disrupt healthy development"[2].
We know that many of the root causes of adult poverty in Wales arise from issues relating to mental health and addiction[3]. We have also seen a decline in mental health support services across the UK[4], meaning that parents experiencing these issues which have driven them into poverty, are unable to access the support they need to help them begin to alleviate their situation. Whilst poverty exists in Wales, equal opportunities for healthy development cannot be realised for children. This blog will discuss the true impact of poverty on children and their developing brain, how this is a hinderance to our ultimate goals of true equality of opportunity for all children, and what policy makers can do to address issues relating to poverty.
What are ACE's and how do they cause 'toxic stress'
Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACE's, relate to negative circumstances experienced by children as they develop. "Physical and emotional abuse, neglect, caregiver mental illness, and household violence" are all key examples of ACE's[1]. The more ACE's a child encounters during their childhood, the greater the negative impact the child's development, and the higher chance of the individual suffering with issues such as diabetes, heart disease and mental health issues in later life[2]. Architects of the Brain Story Certification Module in Alberta have defined these experiences as "toxic stress"[3]. These researchers have identified three types of stress that a child may experience, "positive", "tolerable" and the aforementioned "toxic stress".
"Positive" and "tolerable" stress relate to experiences that most, if not all children experience, with "positive stress" focusing on examples such meeting new people and starting out at school, and “tolerable stress" relating to more serious events such as natural disasters or losing a loved one[4]. Positive stress is identified as good for the developing brain, whilst tolerable stress may be significant at the time of experience, but if supportive caregivers are able to buffer the child's stress response, these situations will not do lasting damage[5]. Toxic stress, however, when there are no caregivers around to help buffer a child's response to repeated negative experiences. This weakens brain architecture and impacts healthy development[6].
Therefore, we must ask ourselves what may suppress the caregiver's ability to provide the buffer for children, and this is where questions around poverty link in, and, more specifically, issues that drive individuals into poverty. Addiction, mental health illness and financial instability are all key drivers of poverty, and all factors, sometimes working alone, or in tandem, restrict the caregiver from providing a buffer for a child. For example, an individual facing an addiction may become too incapacitated to provide a buffering relief for their child, meaning the child is more likely to be exposed to ACE's, without the support network in place. Thus, a direct link can be drawn between levels of poverty, and the increased chances of a child experiencing ACE's.
Addressing the current levels of poverty in Wales is a core method in which the threat of ACE's can be lowered. It is important that Government approach the subject, not only in relation to adults, but also putting children at the front and centre of the debate, gaining a complete understanding of the impact of poverty on all these individuals.
The impact of 'toxic stress' on child development
The first 1,000 days of life are the most crucial, with crucial physical and cognitive developments taking place which form the foundations for later childhood, adolescence, and progression into adulthood. This fact has been recognised for many decades throughout academia, and, in the 21st century, has become increasingly accepted amongst Government, forming a key part of the aims of the previous First Minister of Wales, Vaughan Gething[1]. During this first crucial stage of life, huge changes are occurring to the child's brain structure[2], with learning experiences and interactions with the environment are being soaked up. Alberta Family Wellness, who have researched the importance of Brain Architecture extensively, state:
"The first few years of life are a period of intense activity in the developing brain: connections are rapidly being formed among brain cells that allow them to exchange information and form circuits".[3]
This is supported by wider academia, many of whom draw likeness of child's brain during this period, to that of a sponge[4]. Researchers in Alberta, however, are on the cutting edge of our understanding of brain science and early development, their work continues:
"These circuits form the architecture of the brain and are what allow us to interpret information from our environment and interact with the world around us: every thought, feeling, and action we perform originates from our brains".[5]
The first 1,000 days forms the foundations of who we are, and how we understand the world around us. Developmental experiences refine brain connections, with connections that get used the most become the strongest, with those that get used the least weaken, and disappear. This process is defined by researchers in Alberta as 'pruning'[6]. Experiences we have in childhood impact how brain connections get used, with high quality experiences reinforcing social, cognitive and emotional skills crucial for life, with negative experiences and children experiencing issues relating to toxic stress having poorer outcomes in comparison[7].
It is clear that the science tells us that toxic stress experienced in this stage of life has acute consequences for the future development of the child, therefore, statistics detailing doubled levels of poverty amongst 0–4-year-olds is incredibly concerning. Our improved understanding of the formation of brain architecture in this period of life is crucial in ensuring policies focused on the early years ensure that children across Wales are provided with positive life experiences, benefitting their development both in the short and long term. Children in poverty face a greater chance of experiencing toxic stress, meaning their development is potentially hampered by circumstances out of their control. The next section looks to tackle the question of how interventions made by policy makers at all levels can have a positive impact on children in the early years, and how ensuring equality of access to early years provision for all babies and young children will help achieve wider societal equality targets.
How policy makers can turn the tide
Policy makers at all levels have an important role to play in ensuring that young children do not encounter poverty, as well as the associated experiences of toxic stress that may accompany a child living in poverty detailed in this blog. The first single biggest change policy makers can make to reduce poverty rates in young children is to enable increased access to childcare across Wales. High quality childcare is incredibly beneficial for child development[1], with every child, no matter their background, being provided with the equality of care and support. Furthermore, childcare settings provide equal access to play and movement opportunities which are crucial to the physical and cognitive development of a child.
Play helps form a child's understanding of the world around them, enhancing their physical and cognitive abilities by playing with toys, enhancing their bonds with the environment, with other young children, as well as caregivers[2]. These experiences are crucial for every child, but of particular importance to children from a poverty background, as they may not have had access to such developmental experiences due to their circumstances. Therefore, childcare settings must sit at the very forefront of any policy makers mind when considering legislation designed to tackle poverty. Enabling the sector to continually perform this vital function with adequate financial support is an important part that policy makers can play in providing children with these crucial life experiences.
A second action policy makers could take to tackle the impact of poverty on young children, is by increasing maternity and paternity pay for parents. In the first 1,000 days of life, children benefit from close connections with their caregivers, as this provides major benefits for their cognitive and physical development[3]. Furthermore, greater caregiver involvement enables greater connectivity and understanding between the caregiver and the child, forming a stronger relationship. Households facing poverty are often restricted from ensuring these crucial interactions take place, due to the impact of insecure work, long hours, and the current lack of maternity and paternity pay causing parents to have to return to work much sooner than desired. A much longer discussion must be had about the impact of insecure work and the current minimum wage, but, a proactive step governments can take with some ease, is to increase the rate of maternity and paternity pay available to parents with new children.
An increase in pay of this nature benefits both young children as well as parents. For young children, the fact that individuals are not forced to return to work as quickly means that they will be provided with increased opportunities to benefit from greater bonds with their caregiver. Furthermore, from a financial perspective, further financial support for families during this crucial period of life provides greater opportunities for the caregiver to provide the best experience for the child's upbringing. Families facing poverty often have to choose over providing themselves with basic provisions, such as heating, or eating[4]. This creates the conditions for potential ACE's to arise for children.
Lastly, and more generally, it is important that policy makers continue to implement policies and initiatives designed to stop individuals from experiencing poverty in the first place. Key statistics from the Bevan Foundation's snapshot of Poverty: Winter 2024, state that one in eight people across Wales sometimes, often, or always struggle to afford the essentials[5]. Further, people living in households with children, disabled people, renters and people on low incomes are all groups of people likely to report facing significant financial hardship compared to the rest of the population[6]. Issues with the Cost-of-Living crisis are faced across the UK[7], therefore, it is vital that Local Authorities, Devolved Governments and the UK Government work together to implement legislation both tackling poverty, but also stemming issues with lead individuals into poverty. As discussed in this article, addiction and financial turbulence are key drivers of poverty in families and can cause toxic stress to build up in young children. By tackling systemic issues, policy makers are helping both the current, and future generations, helping achieve true equality of opportunity.
This blog has built a picture of poverty through the lens of its impact on children. If we are to truly benefit the next generation, tackle poverty, promote inclusion and achieve equality of opportunity, it is crucial that policy makers understand and account for the impact of toxic stress. We implore all parties, ahead of the next Senedd elections in 2026, to make sure that the wellbeing of children are front and centre of manifesto's. Together, we can build a better society for young children'
[1] The impact of early childhood education and care on children's outcomes, and the sustainability of the sector
[2]The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds
[3]The Best Start for Life
[4] Millions in Britain are choosing between heating and eating
[5] Snapshot of poverty in Winter 2024
[6] Snapshot of poverty in Winter 2024
[7] High cost of living: Impact on households
Blog by Leo Holmes, Head of Policy and Advocacy