Childcare Dilemma: Are Children at Risk? (page 2)

Other issues to consider in understanding the results

Although 17% of the children exhibited behaviors of concern, such as being demanding, and aggressive, none were to a degree beyond the norm or worthy of referral for evaluation and intervention. In addition, these statistics mean that 83% of the children were doing well. Certainly we must consider what accounted for the difference, but extrapolating from research to policy is usually a premature and dangerous leap.

We must also look at the results in light of children's mental health issues. One-third to one-half of all referrals to mental health professionals are for aggressive behavior. In addition, we know that the incidence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is anywhere from 5-15%, conduct disorder is 3-10% and anxiety disorders is 5-20%. Therefore, statistically a certain percentage of children in kindergarten will have problems due to the genetic, biologic, and environmental nature of mental illnesses, not necessarily due to a previous childcare situation.

Family composition is an additional factor to be considered. Before reaching adulthood, 59% of all children will have lived in a single parent household at some time in their life and 2/3 of all families have two working parents. Thus, childcare is often a necessity, not a choice. These realities may make for additional family stress that is impacting on children rather than just inadequate childcare.

What are the implications of the study

The study points to an association between specific situations and behaviors, but is careful not to identify cause and effect. We cannot know for sure if a particular caregiver arrangement caused the problems or other variables not yet identified played a role. Further research should now focus on what factors in the childcare environment as well as within the home may account for positive and negative behaviors in children.

What parents and caregivers should do

Parents should not automatically pull their children out of existing caregiver situations nor should they worry about any immediate consequences for their child. By pointing out differences in certain areas, the study could be used as a guide to delineating the most beneficial environment for raising preschoolers—both at home and in childcare environments. The results support existing research regarding the optimal elements of infant and childcare. Infants and toddlers need caregivers—parents as well as non parents who:

• maximize the goodness of fit between the child's temperament and the parent's style
• spend time providing undivided individual attention
• provide a routine and structure
• maintain a well organized environment
• listen and attend to the child's physical and emotional needs
• teach cooperation and sensitivity to others
• provide cognitive stimulation in the form of talking, reading, and interactive play

Minimizing parent stress—economic and emotional—and effective parent and caregiver education is also crucial for children's healthy development. Improving the quality of both in-home and out-of-the-home environments should go hand in hand. The study points the way towards future research questions needing answers. Specifying optimal childcare will ensure quality care for children regardless of where they are cared for.