The National Institute of Child Health study, billed as the largest long-term study of child care ever conducted, followed more than 1,364 children in a variety of settings, and based its conclusions on ratings of the children by mothers, caregivers and kindergarten teachers. Findings were presented today at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development in Minneapolis. The study found the findings held up regardless of family background.
Quality indeed makes a difference.
Researcher Not Surprised Bob Pianta, a professor at the University of Virginia and another of the principal investigators, said it is not surprising that day-care kids, who are accustomed to be being in different settings, would be more assertive or aggressive. It could be the case that what you see is sort of a much more experienced bit of behavior in peer relations, and a willingness to kind of go out there and, in a sense, mix it up with other kids in the classroom. Therefore, Pianta stressed a lot more follow-up work needs to be done. You know, being more outgoing and the like. We just don't know.