Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Smarter? No.

Each child is different and even if they didn't go to school/daycare I think their intelligence also depends on their care giver. Is that person teaching them things every day or are they sitting in front of the TV all day?

I do think there are many socialization benefits to school at a young age. DD#1 was in daycare from 14 weeks to 3.5 years old, then I became a SAHM and now she's in Pre-K.

DD#2 was in daycare from 12 weeks to 1 year old. I definitely do see a difference between my kids, their personalities and how they interact socially. I can't wait to get my 18 month old into a program this summer. She's way too attached to me and needs the socialization.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

i think it helps them to be prepared socially, but not necessarily smarter. Probably just helps them better transition to a school setting, but I think a SAHM who regularly has playdates and interaction with kids could also accomplish this.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Not really...especially socialization. Most sahms that I know have their LOs involved in different programs, whether it's a free library program or a gymboree type class...play dates too.

Intelligence IMO is due to genetics but influenced by your parents and teachers. Its hard to say which is better, I think a lot of it will vary from family to family.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

I think the choice of words may be wrong.

All kids are different so you can never use a blanket comment like that. Not all preschools and daycares are equal either.

I do think that most kids in preschool/daycare have an advantage when they start kindergarten.

My 2.5yo DS THRIVES in preschool. It's unbelievable how much he learns. He has so much fun. He listens to directions. He was not in daycare previously. He started preschool when he was 2.5. I plan to send younger DS to preschool/daycare when he is around 18 months.

Message edited 11/1/2011 1:40:37 PM.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

I disagree. My boys are at home with a babysitter and they are social and I have friends kids who go to daycare and are much shyer.

I think it all depends on the child and the interaction and socialization they get at home if not in a structured environment.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

My DS doesn't go to daycare and while I think he's very bright and learning new things every day, I do think other kids his age that do go to daycare were speaking earlier and more than he is. Also, DS doesn't have many playdates so I do think he lacks some social skills that daycare kids learn on a daily basis.

Now, is my DS any less SMART? No, I don't think so. But I think there's a difference.

Also, I work FT so I am not home with him. There are lots of things that DS doesn't do that daycare kids do all day long - singing, crafts etc. I actually am not really sure what daycare kids do all day, but I'm sure they're doing more "stuff" than DS does.

I am considering putting DS in a 2 day program after he turns 2 or 3 for socialization.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Smarter, definitely not but socially, I'd think kids who are shy tend to become more social if in a daycare environment. For kids who are natuarlly outgoing, I don't think daycare makes much difference.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Message edited 11/1/2011 2:12:59 PM.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

NO WAY! I was a total daycare kid from 6 months on up till probably 1st or 2nd grade. I even went to daycare after my day at kindergarten until my parents got out of work to pick me up. I am by no means a social butterfly, so to say it makes people more social sounds ridiculous to me!

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Well, I'm a SAHM, but I did do things a little differently with my 2 kids.

With my first child (DS), of course I was over the top and we went to EVERY class that was out there! Gymboree, Music Together, Orly's Treehouse open play, library, you name it!!!

With my second child (DD), I had less freedom to do all these baby/toddler classes because I had older DS who only was in part-time preschool. We popped into the free library classes from time to time but that was about it.

Well, my DS (age 5), the product of all those classes and activities, is really not outgoing by nature. He takes a while to warm up to new people. My DD (age 2 1/2), who was home with me and kind of just schlepped along to activities and school stuff for my older one, is a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY. She goes to a Mommy and Me program with me now and people are always complimenting me on how she shares, how she plays with everyone, etc.

Now how do I explain that one?

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

No, I definitely don't agree with this and my kids are in day care.

Intelligence is innate. My kids may know more now than other kids their age who are not in day care, but that doesn't mean the other kids won't catch up once their all in school together. Day care is not changing my children's natural abilities.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

I think its a nature & nurture thing...its a mix of both, so there is no sure formula

Message edited 11/1/2011 2:42:21 PM.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

No I do not think that kids that go to daycare are smarter. I think that intelligence comes from many avenues not just one. I think it is a combination of genetics, development, education and stimulation from parents, caregivers, teachers, daycare teachers ect. I do think that kids that go to daycare become independent faster and "maybe" learn to socialize appropriately sooner. I teach at a daycare part-time so this is my opinion from personal experience. I also am a mother and in my opinion my son is advanced for his age (from working at a daycare I have other kids his age to compare him to) and he does not go to daycare. I really just think it depends on the child and a combination of factors not day care vs. non day care children when it comes to intelligence..

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

As someone who works with children for a living, I don't agree with this statement at all.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

My DD is no in daycare. She comes to work with me M-F. She is only around my niece, who is 7 months younger on a daily basis.

My daughter is extremely smart, well spoken and exceeds expectations in many areas. She picks things up quick, so it's easy to teach her things.

However- I do see the social advantages.

DD is in a weekly dance class and sees my niece everyday, but she is very shy in new situations.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Smarter? No.
More social? I think so. DS is in daycare FT and has been exposed to many teachers and children. I don't see how that wouldn't help him be more social.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

It probably gives kids a head up in social norms & following directions from a stranger.

I don't know if it has long-lasting effects though.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Well Ryan is home with me all day and you can't find a more social and smart child.

Daycare may help with certain things like socialization for some kids and give them an advantage in that way..but there are so many things about being home that are awesome so its hard to compare these types of things.

And even if my kids weren't AS social as a kid in daycare, they will get there at their own pace..my siblings and i were home with our mom and had no trouble socializing when we entered kindergarten. We were surrounded by one another and little cousins our age so we were all good to go!

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Not true in my family!

Landon never went to daycare is he is very advanced and highly intelligent. The word "gifted" has been used.

The twins go to daycare and they are definitely less intelligent that Landon. For ex speech- When Landon was their age he was conversing in full sentences. The twins just have a few words. He was just so much more advanced in all areas - not just speech. Don't get me wrong, the twins love daycare and their friends, have lots of socialization and activities there... but intelligence is in the genes IMO. There is equal oppurtunity to cultivate it at home and daycare in our house.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Posted by skinny

My boys aren't in daycare right now and I do feel that they are lacking some of the socialization skills that daycare kids have. They really don't have any friends. It makes me sad.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

FTR DS is not in day care but I think he's a genius.....mostly because I'm so awesome.












He really is pretty smart though.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

As everyone else said each kid is different. I think ultimately given a chance they will all balance out later.

Yes, I feel daycare/school has its advantages. But I send mine to school so I’m bias. I am a terrible SAHM. I wouldn’t last. I’d let her down and fail her in everyway so sending her out was the best choice.

Yes, I feel she’s very social. She’s generally shy so this was a great advantage. Yes, she got sick (past tense) that first year. But she’s built up wonderful immunities. Hubby was sick with a bad cold and she and I had no problem. She didn’t catch it all. I still see snotty sickly children in her school (the newbies or younger ones) and AJ’s still standing strong. I have only taken time this year for her being ‘sick’ because she got a partial flu earlier this year. Even that was like only two days.

I know without a shadow of a doubt, she’s exposed to more learning exercises, experiences, interactions and tools at school than at home. Its just the honest truth. I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I had a million dollars and quit my job, she’d STILL be in school.

Do I think she’ll be smarter by High School? No. She’ll be as smart as she can be and we work to make her be. Do I think she’ll be more socially equipped? Yes, because at home, I’d fail her. However, I don’t think she’ll be a social butterfly, she’s still pretty shy.

Do I think you can put a group of High School kids in line and easily say which ones were in daycare/preschool and which ones weren’t? Ummm no.
JMHO

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

No.

Re: Day care kids vs. non day-care kids

I do not find that to be true. Coming from my past as a day care worker and pre-k teacher its all about personality.

Both of my children are very bright. DD has never spent a day in day care in her 18 mos of life, lol! DS was in day care from 3mos-18mos if I had to compare the 2 I'd say they are pretty equal up to this point..... DD may be a little bit ahead of where he was at this point.

I will also say, as stated above DS went to day care as I stated above and went to nursery school twice a week and pre-k 5 days a week and is a shy kid in new situations. He had a terrible time adjusting to K, but now that he has, he has lots of friends and his teacher says he is one of the smartest in the class. My friends daughter never went to a day of school in her life and walke into Kindergarten as if she owned the place.