Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, co-director of the College's National Center for Children and Families, said children who attend quality day care have a developmental advantage over their peers who do not.  Her comments were in light of a recent study that shows children of working mothers with nonstandard job schedules perform poorly on tests measuring language skills, memory, problem solving, and depth of knowledge.

"This study illustrates the need to have a public discussion about the impact of nonstandard work hours on children." Brooks-Gunn said. "I don't think the question has even been brought up at the national level."

The article, entitled "Mom's Odd Hours Hurt Learning," appeared February 10 on the CBS Web site.

Published Monday, Feb. 14, 2005