Toddlers' Cortisol Levels in Childcare and at Home.
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| Title: | Toddlers' Cortisol Levels in Childcare and at Home. |
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| Authors: | Nystad, Kathrin1 (AUTHOR) kathrin.nystad@ntnu.no, Drugli, May Britt1,2 (AUTHOR), Lydersen, Stian1 (AUTHOR), Tveit, Håvard Horndalen3 (AUTHOR), Lekhal, Ratib4,5 (AUTHOR), Buøen, Elisabet Solheim6 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Early Education & Development. Jan2025, Vol. 36 Issue 1, p62-79. 18p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Caregivers, *Child care, *Classrooms, Hydrocortisone, Females |
| Abstract: | Research Findings: Measuring toddlers' cortisol levels both in childcare and at home and their relation to child- and childcare-related factors may help to identify stress-inducing childcare practices and children who are more vulnerable to stress in childcare. Accordingly, toddlers' (n = 320, 51.2% female, mean age = 26.8 months) cortisol levels in childcare and at home and their relation to childcare quality and child- and family-related factors were investigated using linear mixed model analyses. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon cortisol levels increased in childcare and decreased at home. Younger children had higher overall cortisol levels. Children attending groups with a higher caregiver – child ratio had slightly higher cortisol levels in childcare and slightly lower cortisol levels at home. Toddlers attending disorganized groups were considerably more stressed in childcare. Practice or Policy: The present study underlines the importance of sufficient caregiver availability and stable routines in toddler classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | Research Findings: Measuring toddlers' cortisol levels both in childcare and at home and their relation to child- and childcare-related factors may help to identify stress-inducing childcare practices and children who are more vulnerable to stress in childcare. Accordingly, toddlers' (n = 320, 51.2% female, mean age = 26.8 months) cortisol levels in childcare and at home and their relation to childcare quality and child- and family-related factors were investigated using linear mixed model analyses. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon cortisol levels increased in childcare and decreased at home. Younger children had higher overall cortisol levels. Children attending groups with a higher caregiver – child ratio had slightly higher cortisol levels in childcare and slightly lower cortisol levels at home. Toddlers attending disorganized groups were considerably more stressed in childcare. Practice or Policy: The present study underlines the importance of sufficient caregiver availability and stable routines in toddler classrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10409289 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/10409289.2024.2360873 |
