Relation between time spent in daycare and exploratory behaviors in 9-month-old infants

The associations between the amount of time spent in daycare and exploratory and problem-solving behaviors were examined in 32 9-month-old infants. Regression analyses showed that the amount of time spent in daycare was predictive of increased exploratory behaviors and more efficient problem-solving behaviors in 9-month-old infants after the effects of SES, parental education and quality of the daycare center were statistically controlled. In addition, both quantity and quality of exploratory behavior was related to more successful problem-solving ability. These findings, in conjunction with other findings on the effects of center-based care on infant development, suggest that time spent in daycare can enhance rather than impair cognitive development if the quality of the daycare is high.