Purpose
The study investigates whether toddlers who spend a lot of time in kindergarten exhibit more externalising behaviour problems than other children. The researchers analysed data from seven different studies across five countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Canada and the United States) to find out if there is any correlation between the amount of time children spend in kindergarten and the development of behavioural problems.
Result
The study found no correlation between the number of hours spent in kindergarten and externalising behaviour problems in toddlers. The meta-analysis showed no significant correlation between these factors. Previous research has been divided on the effects of centre-based care on children’s behaviour, with some studies finding a correlation when adjusting for influencing factors, while others with stronger internal validity have not found such evidence. This study strengthens the argument that more time spent in kindergarten does not necessarily result in more externalising behaviour problems in children.
Design
The study used data from seven longitudinal studies involving 10,105 kindergarten children in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Canada and the United States. The researchers checked for sample effects by adjusting for influencing factors and investigated whether changes in the hours spent in kindergarten could predict changes in externalising behaviour problems. The data included information collected through questionnaires and observations. Meta-analyses were then used to combine the results across the different studies, providing an overall assessment of the relationship between time spent in kindergarten and externalising behaviour problems.
References
Rey‐Guerra, C., Zachrisson, H. D., Dearing, E., Berry, D., Kuger, S., Burchinal, M. R., Nerde. A., van Huizen, T & Côté, S. M. (2023). Do more hours in center‐based care cause more externalizing problems? A cross‐national replication study. Child development, 94(2), 458–477.
Online year: 2022
Issue year: 2023
Review year: 2022
Financed by
National Institutes of Health Office, USA; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, USA; The Research Council of Norway, Norway; European Research Council Consolidator Grant, EU