Child care has become a popular choice for parents in recent years, as many mothers opt to work and send their child to a daycare center instead of staying at home due to financial constraints, psychological stress, or other factors. The study of Early Child Care is crucial for comprehending the growth process of children. Numerous countries invest considerable resources into this field to foster the healthy and happy development of future generations. The study encompasses different aspects including children’s habits, emotional and intellectual development, language acquisition, and their family environment.
The Early Child Care study conducted by the NICHD discovered a link between daycare attendance and bullying, causing concern for parents who have no choice but to send their child to daycare. Stanford University researchers also found that the amount of time children spend on television and video games affects their aggression levels. Children who decreased their exposure to these media forms were less likely to engage in teasing or bullying during recess. It is important to note that certain television programs and video games may contain inappropriate content for young children, who may struggle with understanding right from wrong at a young age. Without parental guidance, children might misunderstand the messages conveyed in these media forms, potentially leading to unhealthy psychological development and influencing future behavior. It should be recognized that some television programs and video games include violent content, which can contribute to a child’s aggressiveness. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that children have easy access to these types of media, something not taken into account by the conducted studies.
The family condition is a confounding variable that could impact the findings of the Early Child Care study, particularly in cases of divorce or single-parent households. Children may compare themselves to their peers and feel dissatisfied with their own family situation, experiencing envy and jealousy when they see other children who have both a father and mother in their lives. If these imbalanced thoughts are not recognized or disregarded by others, it can result in psychological problems for children.
Furthermore, the family environment has a subtle influence on children’s behavior. The significant role of parents as role models greatly affects their children’s development. If parents exhibit positive manners and habits, it can impact their children’s adoption of similar behaviors. For instance, when parents consistently practice handwashing before meals, their children are likely to imitate this action. On the other hand, if parents frequently communicate rudely, their children are more prone to imitating this impolite way of speaking.
If I were to conduct a follow-up study on the Early Child Care study, my primary objective would be to assess how television and video game consumption affects children’s aggressive behavior. It is essential to analyze both the general impact of these media formats on children’s behavior as well as the particular genres of programming and video games that contribute to this effect.
Furthermore, it is crucial to examine the unique relationship between the length of time children spend in daycare and their levels of aggression. Research demonstrates that when children attend daycare for more than 45 hours per week until they reach 54 months old, they tend to exhibit a behavioral problems score that is roughly 3 points higher than the average. This implies that attending daycare raises the chances of encountering behavioral difficulties.
It is important to conduct additional research on how the family environment affects a child’s behavior. This research should explore why parents decide to send their children to daycare and how this decision relates to the family’s financial situation. These factors play a crucial role in shaping children’s behavior.
Previous studies in the United States have tried to regulate various factors such as income, education, mental health, and intelligence. However, these studies did not consider other family aspects apart from child care choices that could potentially play a role in behavioral issues. Each individual has unique traits related to their physical appearance, personality, behavior, and habits. While it is difficult to define all of these characteristics accurately, they can greatly impact the results of experiments. Hence, it is vital for the Early Child Care study to recognize these uncertainties in order to improve the accuracy of future research.
The subsequent study emphasizes the significance of evaluating care quality. It acknowledges that children are highly perceptive and can be profoundly influenced by their interactions and environment. Thus, the care they receive is vital in molding their perspectives on life and subsequently impacting their manners and behavior.
After conducting extensive research and reviewing evidence on the impact of daycare, I firmly believe that it is more advantageous for parents to remain at home with their children rather than enrolling them in daycare. This is due to the fact that children are in a vital stage of development during which they absorb and assimilate what they observe and experience. Consequently, having parents present during this critical phase can guide them towards a more positive path.
In other words, some daycares are operated on a large scale. The quality of care cannot be ensured as tutors may not be able to notice all conditions of the children there, and sometimes children may be neglected. We are also unable to ensure the type of friends our children would meet and the influence they might receive from those friends.
Regardless of the conclusive findings of the Early Child Care study on daycare, I believe my opinion would remain unchanged. The memories made with children are priceless and should be cherished by parents. The moments spent with our children are irreplaceable and incomparable to any external factors. Once parents choose to send their children to daycare, the missed time with their children cannot be recovered. Regretting it afterwards is futile.
Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, emphasizes the importance of parents prioritizing their children’s cognitive, academic, social, and emotional development in group settings. To achieve this, she suggests that parents should remain at home with their children during their growth process. By doing so, parents can effectively observe and offer support for their children’s emotional and developmental needs.
The ongoing study conducted by the NICHD since 1991 reveals that children from various research sites across the country display higher levels of aggression, disobedience, and defiance during their preschool and kindergarten years when they spend more time in childcare away from their mothers. This includes both being with their fathers or other relatives. The findings highlight the significance of mothers prioritizing staying at home with their children rather than working outside, as it contributes to establishing a secure environment for the child’s development.
Investing time and resources in the Early Child Care study is essential as it is crucial for nurturing children, who are the future of society. It is vital to provide them with proper education and guidance to pave a bright path for success, as they will carry on our legacies and shape the world we leave behind. As we age, it becomes a responsibility shared by parents and the country to ensure children receive the necessary support. Ultimately, they will lead us towards a better future and a better world.
It is important for researchers to focus on conducting more accurate studies on the relationship between daycare and bullying. This will help develop better educational strategies for future generations. Therefore, it is crucial that researchers thoroughly carry out their research to reduce errors.
Studying Early Child Care is essential for parents to make informed decisions about enrolling their children in daycare. However, there is a need for additional enhancements to enable more accurate observations. The importance of ensuring quality in children’s development cannot be overstated, as it significantly contributes to nurturing a superior generation. Hence, parents should prioritize dedicating their efforts towards this aspect.
