This paper explores generic factors that prevent children from normally reaching their full potentials. Early childhood is a period when children should normally grow in an environment which is secured, friendly, filled with warmth, and nurturing to enhance the holistic growth of all children. There are many theories, ideologies, and policies to define what good education is and the crucial need for each child to be given the opportunity to be educated. The theory on critical and sensitive periods must not be forgotten when it comes to children's education. Unfortunately, this is not the case around the world. The increasingly cultural, linguistic, social, and emotional differences in society hinder the education of many children. This paper will analyze and examine the label "at -risk" children and the trends that pose negative rather than positive opportunity for children to get adequate education to become successful in life. It will focus on the broad factors such as poverty, educational, health, homelessness, that are ubiquitous to at risk children across developed and less developed societies. The paper would examine the impact of these risk factors and suggest strategies to help children out of such predicaments.