Developmental stimulation in child care centers contributes to young infants' cognitive development.
This study examined whether the quality of caregiver behavior in child care centers contributes to infant cognitive development at 9 months of age. Sixty-four infants (34 boys) were observed with their primary caregivers in child care centers at 3, 6, and 9 months of age. Caregiver behavior was rated for sensitivity and for stimulation of infant development during one-to-one caregiving interactions. Infant cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II (Mental Development Index). Higher levels of developmental stimulation in the centers predicted higher levels of infant cognitive development at 9 months, beyond infant cognitive development at 3 months (just before entering child care), parental education, and maternal sensitivity. The results suggest that even small increases in developmental stimulation provided in child care centers in the first year of life may foster infants' cognitive development.
Albers
Esther M
EM
Department of Developmental Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. e.albers@psych.ru.nl
Riksen-Walraven
J Marianne
JM
de Weerth
Carolina
C
D000367:Age Factors; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D012044:Regression Analysis