Daycare-social development

Positive impact on social development

Social development refers to the growth of the child's ability to form realtionships with others and to acquire a level of independence.

Borge at al

Procedure:

• Using 3431 2-3 year olds they compared home reared children with day care children
• Socio-economic status of families, number of siblings and mothers education were recorded
• Mothers were given a questionnaire to complete related to aggressive behaviour displayed by their child

Findings:

Aggression was significantly higher in home reared children, therefore quality of daycare may be a significant factor.

• Childcare not only helps with the interactions between children and peers and adults, but the children are more prepared and have a better understanding about the social world.
• When a child was put in a new situation the child that attended daycare acted less timid/distressed and were able to entertain and soothe themselves 
• Children are more likely to be self-confident, outgoing, assertive, verbally expressive and self sufficient
• Children who attended daycare had increased independence and peer sociability from a study of 3000 3-7 year olds
• They are able to play longer, share, respond better to their peers and have more friends

Negative impact on social development

Campbell, Hwang and Lang

Procedure:

• Swedish children studied at intervals from 18months to 15 years
• A baseline was established by early observation in the home and daycare facility
• Children were cared for by a mixture of nursery and family-based care
• Observations and interviews relating to social development were carried out
• At 15 participants were asked to complete 2 questionnaires on…