Childcare bad == Child bad

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Childcare bad == Child bad

arbilad · Head Chef

The article also seems to try to be misleading. After talking about the behavior problems, it mentions that good childcare can increase vocabulary. The thing is, they're not saying that kids in childcare have a better vocabulary than kids not in childcare. They're saying that kids in high quality childcare have a better vocabulary than those in low quality childcare. Here's a quote from the article:

Also, children who got good quality child care before entering kindergarten had better vocabulary scores in the fifth grade than did youngsters who received lower quality care.

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

I just love how the article twists the findings. It's the primary grade teacher's faults for focussing on academics blah, blah, blah.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

yeah, I grabbed it from CNN, so you can tell the writer really struggled to write it and maintain his liberal identity... he was probably raised in a daycare...

Oh wait, that's not nice to say... I'm trying to be more Christlike... my apologies to all you daycare children...

--Ray

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

They defined childcare as more than 10 hours a week outside the care of the mother. I wonder if that includes care by the father, an aunt or grandma? You know, someone who has a hefty Church calling...

Roper · Senior Bucketkeeper

And the only meaningful statement in the whole article, tucked into the least prominent place:

The researchers said that the increase in vocabulary and problem behaviors was small, and that parenting quality was a much more important predictor of child development.

Thank you, AP, for at least including it.

And vocabulary is only one aspect (and a small one at that) of literacy. The children who do the best in literacy (reading, writing, speaking) are those who had at least 2000 lap hours engaged in literacy activities before Kindergarten. Bottom line: If regularly you hold your kids, and talk with them, and read with them, they'll do great with literacy in school (unless there's a developmental issue, of course.) No child care, no matter how "quality", can give those 2000 lap hours to children.

-- Edited by Roper at 18:25, 2007-03-26

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

I think Grandmas are pretty good, though. I'm amazed every time I go to the grocery store how many kids are there with their Grandma. We live in an older ward and lots of the Grandmas babysit. Some Grandmas are even nicer than the Mom.

Can you tell my Grandma babysat me on occasion?

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Clinical research shows that children babysat by their grandmas grow up to be feisty.

--Ray

Fregramis · Senior Member

I think those mothers who purposefully put their children in daycare for a second income to avoid having to pinch pennies just need to ask themselves a simple question:

"In 15 to 20 years, will I miss the money I could have earned, or the moments I could have had with my children?"

The answer will reveal the individual.

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

Only if the grandma herself was known to be feisty.

What choice does the poor child have then?

Euphrasie · Senior Bucketkeeper

My daughter told me the other day that I should get a job so I could earn enough to pay my sister to take care of her. She said they would take care of themselves in the meantime. Conversation as follows:

But who would make you breakfast?
I would make us breakfast.
But what if you ate frosting for breakfast?
I wouldn't eat frosting because that would make me sick, and I don't want to be sick.
Well, what if you and your brother fight?
We won't.
What if you do?
Then I would put myself in timeout.
What if you wanted to go to the library?
(pause) I couldn't drive because I don't have a license.
Nope.
I guess you better stay home. Mommy, I don't want you to ever get a job.
Okay.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Aww... that was a cute story... not at all boring. :)

--Ray

Euphrasie · Senior Bucketkeeper

Stories about my kids are never boring...

Cocobeem · Keeper of the Holy Grail

But if your sister tells them, then they are.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Amen. Coco... Amen!

--Ray