| Daycare Study | |
A controversial new study by the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of
Children and Youth released 10/14/99 concludes that "children who are enrolled in early childhood programs and day-care centres appear to get a head start in school over youngsters who stay at home with a parent."
The study goes on to say that, "The beneficial effects of participation in early childhood programs carried over to Grade 1.
Four- and five-year-old children who attended an early childhood program
in 1994/95 were 1.4 times more likely to be rated by their teachers as being near the top of their
class in mathematics achievement in Grade 1 in 1996/97 than those who had stayed at home with a parent."
What Do You Think?
Several members of our discussion forum commented on this study. Here are some selected comments from other at-home parents:
It has been the press that has splashed the "Daycare" part of the
study all over creation...The media can be so warped.
The study included MANY Scenarios....such as playgoups,
Mom's & tots classes, pre-school etc. etc."
Please visit our discussion forum and share your views on this controversial new study.
"Last week the
head of our child care association told me that studies show
kids who attend daycare grow up to commit less crimes. Does
this mean I am harming my kids by staying home with them? Is
anyone else out there concerned about the recent turn in
society to turn the role of home parenting over to
institutionalized care?"
"This study has been taken completely out of context. It was a
study on "socialization" not accedemic acheivement or
emotional well being ,or stable self image, future relationship
stability, etc etc.
"I can't believe how many people including my
so-called friends who work and put their kids in daycare make
out like I am a bad mother for staying home with my son. I
think everyone feels the need to defend *their* way of doing
things. I know I'm doing what's best for my son and myself yet
peer pressure (that sounds so adolescent) makes me feel guilty
to admit that I am a SAHM."