Baby question...

Do you think babies in large daycare environments develop/mature more slowly than those that get more one on one attention every day? A baby of one of my co-workers is in daycare at our work. It's a nice daycare, they read to them, play, etc., but she is 18 mos. and not talking or walking yet. I know it might just be her, but I started thinking that the lack of attention might really inhibit their maturity at that age... Which worries me because if I have babies they will probably be in daycare, and as much attention as I can give to them after work, the majority of their time will be with daycare providers.

I think it's such an individual thing.

I have heard the oppostite, that they develop faster from being around other kids, but maybe if the other kids are not close to her age, she is not influenced by them?

I don't know. Pure speculation.

---

Posted by tourist

I have heard the oppostite, that they develop faster from being around other kids, but maybe if the other kids are not close to her age, she is not influenced by them?

I don't know. Pure speculation.

---

Hmm that's interesting. There's all ages in the daycare--3 mos-13 years.

I think it is an individual thing. My mom was a SAHM and I am the 3rd child. She told me I didn't walk until I was almost 2, since I had two older siblings waiting on me. Then, when I was ready, I just got up and started walking and never looked back.

---

Posted by tourist

I have heard the oppostite, that they develop faster from being around other kids, but maybe if the other kids are not close to her age, she is not influenced by them?

I don't know. Pure speculation.

---

The research suggests that daycare is overall good for development.

So maybe this daycare is SO good, that the kid never needs to ask for anything, so she doesn'' have a need to talk? Maybe she is just shy.

I know my cousin started talking early & it did seem that it was because she was always around a bunch of loud teens & adults--there were no other babies in the (extended) family.

I don't think not speaking really becomes a concern untill about 2, though.

Babies advance at different stages. You have to work with them to get them to learn. Its memorization (sp?) and if you talk to them and make themwalk while holding their hands they will be more assertive in learning. It is true that if you just give them they dont try.

Though-children that dont interact with other children tend to be more shell-like. It is good to work with them outside of the school too.

I feel like I am talking in a circle...

I really dont know, but isnt 18 months really late for not walking or talking?

---

Posted by N.Y.bride

I really dont know, but isnt 18 months really late for not walking or talking?

---

I thought so too, but maybe it's just her. DH and I both grew up with SAHMs but we were both walking at 9 mos...There are pics of me taking cheese from the fridge at 9 mos in my diaper...I guess it is just this particular baby.

Every child develops at a different rate. The more a child is exposed to language, the more of a chance they will have to being able to speak and decode. It is often the case that younger children with older siblings may talk earlier for this reason. I was not in day care but in a nursery school at 3 and 4 years. I was also decoding at 3. Not because I was a child genius, but because I had siblings who read to me over and over.

At young ages, children are able to recognize small sight words and symbols. This should not be confused with the entire concept of reading. Reading involves the actual decoding of letters and words into sounds AS WELL AS the comprehension of the ideas in those words.

I have been teaching special education for almost 10 years. I see all too often when parents think decoding is more important than comprehension. So Johnny can read the words but does he know what they mean? I struggle every day to teach my students meaning.

Day care can provide a place for a child to be exposed to language. It is certainly a great way for a child to be socialized. I do not know if being in day care would foster movement in a child to walk any faster than s/he would have without it. A child does it when they are ready.