No abstract

Background-Studies have suggested that nonmaternal care (NMC) may either carry risks or be beneficial for children's language development. However, few tested the possibility that NMC may be more or less protective for children with different family backgrounds. This study investigates the role of the family environment, as reflected in the socioeconomic status (SES), in the association between NMC in the first year of life and children's receptive language skills prior to school entry.

The authors examined the role of familial risk and child characteristics in the association between the type of child care in infancy (maternal care [MC]) versus nonmaternal care [NMC]) and emotional/behavioral difficulties at 4 years old. Canadian families (N=1,358) with children between 1 and 12 months old were followed over 4 years. Family risks were found to moderate the association between type of child care and physical aggression. MC in infancy was associated with lower levels of physical aggression among children from a low-risk family background but not among those from a high-risk family background. The effect size was small (d=-0.16; confidence interval [CI]=-0.3, -0.01). Family risk and the sex of the child moderated the association between child care and emotional problems. MC in infancy was associated with a lower level of emotional difficulties among girls from low-risk families but not among boys or among children from high-risk families. The effect size was moderate (d=-0.44; CI=-0.65, -0.23). The study indicates that the effect of child care type in infancy varies by family and child characteristics.

Results from a prospective cohort of 136 children, from 4 to 10 years of age, indicated that stomach ache was almost as prevalent among preschool children as children of school age. Headache was almost absent among 4-year-olds but prevalent at 10 years of age. Generally, early pain complaints were persistent. The co-occurrence of stomach ache and headache increased from 4% of children at 4 years of age to 20% when they reached 10 years of age.

A longitudinal study followed 120 children and their families of a rural cohort from the preschool period until 10 years of age. The prevalence of behaviour problems was similar to that found in other studies in different countries, except at the age of 10, when a modification of the cutoff point was indicated for the parental report measure. The prevalence of behaviour problems was initially influenced by gender and intelligence test scores. Day care centre experience at a later age was associated with lower levels of behaviour problems, as perceived by parents. At age 10, teachers' perceptions indicated that early maternal employment was associated with higher levels of behaviour problems.