Working Paper Finds Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships

The Family Initiative has just sent out a bulletin about a working paper of the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. Young Children Develop in an Environment of Relationships finds--not surprisingly-- that the need for stable, predictable relationships in child care settings is important for children's development. It argues that repeated "detaching" from old caregivers and "re-attaching" to new ones can be emotionally distressing, whereas a secure relationship results in greater social competence for the child, fewer behavior problems, and enhanced thinking and reasoning skills at school age. The paper concludes that the quality of care provided in many child-care arrangements in the United States does not support these benefits because of high caregiver turnover, poorly designed programs, or inadequate preparation. It's an interesting read!