The Effects of Day Care on Child Development

Clarke-Stewart et al - Positive Effects of Day Care

Method: A series of seperate observations. One experiment looked at the peer relationships of 150 children aged 2-3 years, who came from different social backgrounds. The other looked at strength of attachment in a group of 18-month old children. These had at least 30 hours of day care per week. The strange situation was used. The results were compared with those with low intensity day care (less than 10 hours). 

Results: The 2-3 year olds who had experienced day care were good at coping with social situations and negotiating with each other.

Those with high intensity day care were just as distressed at seperation than those with low intensity day care. 

Conclusion: Day care can have a positive effect on the development of peer relationships in 2-3 year olds. Attachment in 18 month olds is not affected by temporary separation.

Evaluation: The observations were controlled, so the study could easily be replicated. However, because the situation was artificial, the study lacks ecological validity and the results can't be generalised to other children. 

Shea - Positive Effects of Day Care

Method: Infants aged between 3 and 4 were videotaped in the playground during their first 10 weeks at nursery. They…