For Difficult Kids, Choice of Care Can Bring Rewards
Eu-Jin sent me this article from WSJ.
Children with difficult temperaments, who were later placed in high-quality care, had fewer behavioral problems and teacher conflicts and better reading skills by sixth grade, compared with easygoing children in similar care, says the study, co-authored by Dr. Belsky. Those placed in poor-quality care showed the opposite: more behavioral problems and teacher conflicts, and worse academic skills.
and
Surprisingly, laid-back kids didn’t show any lasting impact of high- versus low-quality care.
I think I was the classic difficult kid..."marked by excessive crying, fussiness, emotional volatility, fear of strangers and clinginess". Apparently I cried for 3 days non-stop when I was placed in nursery school when I was 3, at which point my parents gave up and took me out of school. I didn't fare that much better in the early weeks of preschool at the age of 5. Good thing I had great personalized care and love from my family and nanny...
