Study reveals that daycare can be positive for child development - AmericaNowNews.com

Study reveals that daycare can be positive for child development

Some mothers feel guilty about sending their kids to daycare. But new studies show that behavioral problems among children up to the age of 5 are often the effect of Mom having problems of her own, which children are often able to pick up on.

A recent Australian study shows that as little as half of a day in formal daycare at age 2 can have a lasting, positive impact on a child whose mother has recurrent depressive symptoms.

"It's likely giving Mom a break, and so helping her manage whatever it is that is contributing to her mood," says Cleveland Clinic Psychologist Kate Eshleman. "Giving her that break allows her to better interact with her kids. It also suggests that putting the kids in daycare provides them with an opportunity to develop some of the pro-social behaviors that aren't being addressed at home."

Researchers at the University of Adelaide questioned 438 mothers during their child's infancy, toddler years and at age 5. Results show that formal childcare at age 2 modified the effect that the mother's issues had on the child's tendency to act up as they got older.

"The things that parents do are very important," Eshleman says. "So [. . .] if a parent is managing their own mood issue [and is] not able to interact with the child as the child needs at that age, it's certainly going to have an impact on the child."

Copyright 2011 America Now. All rights reserved.

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • There's no cure for the flu or common cold yet, but there are some really effective ways to protect yourself from them.  In fact, it turns out one of the most powerful cold and flu fighters isn't a medicine
    There's no cure for the flu or common cold yet, but there are some really effective ways to protect yourself from them.
  • A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities.
    A recent investigation revealed telemarketers and direct-mail companies sometimes receive 90 percent or more of the money people donate to charities. The non-profit organizations end up with just pennies on the dollar raised through solicitation campaigns, and it's all legal. 
  • Every 19 minutes, someone dies from a prescription painkiller overdose. In fact, the number of painkiller overdose deaths in the US now exceeds the number of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.
    Every 19 minutes, someone dies from a prescription painkiller overdose. In fact, the number of painkiller overdose deaths in the US now exceeds the number of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. America Now goes inside the epidemic!
Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and America Now. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.