Kids raised in difficult home environments may overcome challenges with high-quality nonmaternal child care

By Staff Writer

Past research suggests that children who grow up in homes with limited family resources are at a greater risk of developmental problems than their peers who are raised in houses with high-quality child care. According to a new study from the University of Denver, Georgetown University, Harvard University and Auburn University, improved child care may help make up for low-quality home environments.

The findings, which are published in the journal Child Development, show data of children from birth through middle-school-age. The study assessed the child's age, gender, race and ethnicity, as well as the family's resources during the child's first six months of life and at ages 2, 3 and 4 and a half. The age that the child started nonmaternal care, as well as how often they were in this type of care, was also recorded.

Difficult family environments were described as having fewer resources, fewer learning opportunities, and less sensitivity and acceptance of the child. Low-quality child care was assessed as having fewer learning opportunities and caregivers who used negative or neutral facial expressions and tone of voice.

The results show that children who grew up in difficult home and child care environments had more social or emotional problems than children who had lower-quality care but were raised in more advantaged and supportive homes.