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How Excessive Heat Affects Young Children’s Development
Around the world, temperatures are rising, and many places are experiencing more days of extreme heat than ever before. While heat waves are uncomfortable for everyone, they can be especially harmful for young children, whose bodies and brains are still growing. Recent studies show that high temperatures can actually affect how children learn, grow, and develop during some of the most important years of their lives.
One large study looked at more than 19,000 children ages 3 and 4 across several countries. The researchers found that when young children lived in areas where peak temperatures were above about 86°F (30°C), they were less likely to reach early learning milestones, including recognizing letters, counting, and understanding basic words. These early skills are very important because they prepare children for school, and falling behind at this stage can make learning harder later on.
The effects of extreme heat are especially visible in Africa, which is one of the regions warming the fastest in the world. Many African countries experience long, intense heat waves that put young children at even higher risk. Because many communities already struggle with limited resources, heat can make daily life much harder and more dangerous for young children.
In parts of West, East, and Southern Africa, temperatures often rise far above 100°F (38°C) during the hottest months. Many families live in homes made of metal sheets, mud bricks, or other materials that trap heat and get extremely hot inside. Without reliable electricity or air conditioning, young children may spend hours in indoor spaces that are hotter than the outdoors. This makes it harder for them to rest, play, and learn.
Access to clean water is also a major issue. During heat waves, water sources dry up or become polluted more quickly. Young children are more vulnerable to dehydration, which can cause serious health problems and slow down brain development. If a child becomes sick from heat or dehydration, they may miss days of preschool or early learning activities, which puts them further behind.
Another major challenge is that many early childhood centers or schools in Africa do not have cooling systems or shaded outdoor areas. When classrooms become too hot, learning becomes difficult or even unsafe. Teachers may need to shorten activities or send children home early, reducing the time kids spend practicing basic skills. Rural areas are especially affected, where schools may lack electricity altogether.
Families that work outdoors, such as farmers, market sellers, and herders, may not be able to care for young children during the hottest parts of the day. Some parents have no choice but to bring their children with them into the heat, increasing the risk of heat-related illness. Others must leave children inside poorly ventilated homes. Both situations can be dangerous.
Despite these challenges, many African communities are finding ways to adapt. Some are planting more trees for shade, installing low-cost cooling systems, and designing buildings that stay cooler naturally. Others are working to improve access to clean water and healthcare. These efforts are important, because protecting young children from heat helps protect their future.
As heat waves become more common worldwide, protecting young children is becoming even more urgent. Children today may grow up facing hotter temperatures than any generation before them. By understanding how excessive heat affects their bodies and minds , especially in regions like Africa where heat is already extreme, adults, schools, and governments can take steps to keep children safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Making these changes now will help ensure that all children have the best chance to grow, develop, and succeed in a warming world.
References
https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcpp.70081
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-extreme-linked-literacy-numeracy-skills.html
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AGS Councilor Dr. Demetrice “Dee” Jordan has joined the National Academy of Medicine’s new Building Trust in Health Science Through Community Partnership and Lived Experience Action Collaborative, an initiative to strengthen public confidence in health science. Dr. Jordan joins an inaugural cohort of 32 volunteer members representing a wide range of communities, professions, and lived experiences. Read more about the Collaborative HERE.