Research has shown that attachment is important to later (47)______ development. The securely attached child is more independent, more cooperative, less rigid, and basically happier than other children. This is contrary to earlier beliefs that the parent must "push the child out of the nest" to encourage independence. Research supports the need for parents to provide a (48)______ base; only there will the child feel confident enough to (49)______ out alone. Independent exploration is essential to a child’’s emotional and (50)______ growth.
Today, when more than 50 percent of mothers with children under the age of five work outside the home, the issue of attachment has become (51)______ to the argument over whether day care is harmful to children.
Some psychologists (52)______ that day care for children under one year of age is detrimental to their secure attachment and will (53)______ affect their emotional development. Others have found that the quality of day care is the key to determining possible harm.
For example, a child with one steady caregiver can (54)______ a secure attachment. In contrast, a child placed in a large group with many different caregivers may never feel secure. Still other psychologists maintain that group day care can be beneficial, (55)______ to older children, who have shown greater socialization skills than those not in day care. It is clear that parent must carefully consider their day-care choices. (56)______ research needs to be done to understand fully the effects of day care.
Word Bank
A) verify I) particularly
B) emotional J) restriction
C) central K) physical
D) secure L) venture
E) negatively M) shelter
F) form N) maintain
G) intellectual O) further
H) vivid