The influence of model infant—toddler group care on parent-child interaction at home

The Link Between Caregiver‐Parent Relations and Children's Experiences in Daycare and at Home: What Does the Research Tell Us?

“…A considerable body of research has shown that perceived social support tends to negate many of the deleterious effects of economic hardship on parenting practices (e.g., Corse et aL, 1990;Garbarino and Crouter, 1978;Gelles and Straus, 1979;Hashima and Amato, 1994;Kotch and Thomas, 1986). It stands to reason that regular communication with parents may make caregivers important members of the parent social support network, hence helping to alleviate parental anxiety and stress and consequendy enhancing the child's home environment Several daycare researchers have advanced versions of this general argument (see Bronfenbrenner, 1979;Edwards et al, 1986;McKim, 1993;Smith and Hubbard, 1988). However, as with other issues regarding caregiver-parent relations, good hypotheses are more available than good data.…”

“…The notion that daycare participation in general may affect aspects of the child's home life is not new (see Cataldo and Salzer, 1982;Edwards, Logue, Loehr and Roth, 1986;Ledesma et al, 1980;Roopnarine et al, 1986;Vandell, 1979). Perhaps the most distinct manifestation of scholarly interest in this idea is found in the research on the effects of daycare on mother-child attachment, summarized eloquently in Fein and Fox (1990;see also McGurk et al, 1993).…”

“…Discussing their findings that daycare participation affected parent-child interactions at home, Edwards et al (1986) suggested that "professional teachers...may in fact have influenced or reinforced certain tendencies in..parents' behavior" (p. 330). While not explicitly stated, such effects can be attributed in part to modeling.…”

“…While not explicitly stated, such effects can be attributed in part to modeling. However, Edwards et al (1986) study was conducted in model daycare centers, in which parental class participation, communication, and involvement were an explicit goal. The results may not generalize to other care arrangements.…”

The effects of day care participation on parent-infant interaction at home.

“…5,8 However, because the groups differed on two Spot Observation measures during Period 1, caution is required in interpretation. We suggest that participation in the day care program may have amplified rather than caused changes in parental behavior.…”