Abstract

PICCININI, Cesar Augusto et al. Mothers' reasons to enroll or not the baby in day care. Arq. bras. psicol. [online]. 2016, vol.68, n.3, pp.59-74. ISSN 1809-5267.

The study investigated mothers' reasons to enroll or not children in day care during their first year of life. 69 mothers and their children participated in the study, of which 26 were entering the day care and 43 continued to be receive care by other caretakers. Mothers answered an interview involving questions about motherhood and choice of care. Content analysis revealed that the decision to enroll or not children in day care in their first six months is influenced by reasons related to the baby, to the mothers/fathers and to the support network. Furthermore, it was found that mothers' reasons for choosing any type of care were related especially to the baby's needs. Regarding the day care, the mothers emphasized its importance to the child's social and cognitive development, whereas, in relation to other ways of care, emphasized the importance of a more individualized and closer attention. Regardless of the specific reasons, these were involved in a complex and dynamic process.

Keywords : Child care behavior; Day care; Childhood development.

        · abstract in Portuguese | Spanish     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )