Predictors of maternal knowledge on early childhood development in highly marginalized communities in Mexico: Implications for public policy

•ECD knowledge among the evaluated mothers was suboptimal;•It is essential to implement participative strategies to ensure that caregivers enjoy optimal emotional conditions for absorbing the key ECD concepts;•Additional research into the factors that shape ECD knowledge in deprived contexts will contribute to inform effective ECD interventions;•It is essential to explore which factors are conducive to the development of resilient individuals and communities in deprived contexts.