biostudies-literatureEmmers DNICHD NIH HHSKU Leuven, Long-term structural funding–Methusalem funding by the Flemish Government and by the Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek–Vlaanderen (FWO), and the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique-FNRSe005578https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8381307biostudies-literatureUnknown6(8)<h4>Introduction</h4>Inadequate care during early childhood can lead to long-term deficits in skills. Parenting programmes that encourage investment in young children are a promising tool for improving early development outcomes and long-term opportunities in low-income and middle-income regions, such as rural China.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence of early developmental delays and stimulating parenting practices as well as the effect of parental training programmes on child development outcomes in rural China. We obtained data in English from EconPapers, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus (Elsevier) and in Chinese from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP Information. BMJ global healthEarly childhood development and parental training interventions in rural China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.PMC8381307EOS Project No. G0G4318N (EOS ID 30784531)P2C HD050924Li GLiu MJiang QCai JMa YWarrinnier NZhao YXu JWang LShan WJohnstone HQian YLi ZHuang YRozelle SDill SESylvia SZhang YEmmers DLiu BWang XLuo RXue HMedina AfalseEarly childhood development and parental training interventions in rural China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.<h4>Introduction</h4>Inadequate care during early childhood can lead to long-term deficits in skills. Parenting programmes that encourage investment in young children are a promising tool for improving early development outcomes and long-term opportunities in low-income and middle-income regions, such as rural China.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis to investigate the prevalence of early developmental delays and stimulating parenting practices as well as the effect of parental training programmes on child development outcomes in rural China. We obtained data in English from EconPapers, PubMed, PsycARTICLES, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus (Elsevier) and in Chinese from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data and VIP Information. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Aug2026-07-16T15:15:29.339Z2026-07-10T03:10:22.631ZS-EPMC83813073441727110.1136/bmjgh-2021-005578