But we know there is a strong socioeconomic gradient to development.
Wide and persistent gaps between disadvantaged children and their peers are present by the age of three and steadily widen as children grow older. We have a good understanding of how risk factors such as poverty and adversity can impact on children's development, limiting individuals' future social and economic opportunities and increasing the likelihood that they experience mental and physical health problems.
Crucially, though, we must remember that these risk factors are not deterministic at an individual level: experiencing hardship in the first few years of life is not a guarantee of future problems, nor are the effects of early problems fixed and irresolvable.
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