Children’s early care and education (ECE) experiences have been found to explain developmental differences in school readiness between children in low- versus high-income households. However, the majority of this research has focused on preschool and center-based ECE. We have less knowledge about the specific characteristics of ECE across setting types prior to preschool that contribute to later income-based gaps in children’s cognitive skills. This study examined children’s ECE characteristics in formal and informal settings during toddlerhood (age 2) as mediators of the association between family income and children’s reading and math skills at preschool (age 4). Findings from a nationally representative sample of children who attended ECE at age 2 (N = 4,500) revealed that, among 8 characteristics of children’s ECE experiences at age 2, only one characteristic, caregivers’ report of daily reading, was a significant predictor of children’s later reading and math skills. (author abstract)
Do child care characteristics during toddlerhood explain income-based gaps in reading and math skills at preschool?
Description:
Resource Type:
Reports & Papers
Country:
United States
- Related Resources
Related resources include summaries, versions, measures (instruments), or other resources in which the current document plays a part. Research products funded by the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation are related to their project records.
- Related Studies
- You May Also Like
These resources share similarities with the current selection.
Do parental work hours and nonstandard schedules explain income-based gaps in center-based early care and education participation?
Reports & Papers
Low-income parents' socialization of their preschoolers' early reading and math skills
Reports & Papers
Do preschool executive function skills explain the school readiness gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children?
Reports & Papers