What are the effects of noise on an infants cognitive development and general well-being?
We are in the process of opening a licensed childcare in WA state and have been instructed to construct a sound barrier between the infant and toddler areas of our room. We have carpeting on the walls and floor as well as padded structures 32" high between the separate areas. We also hung Faux bamboo shades between the areas to cut down on the visual stimulation and sound carrying. Our health specialist has said she still will not pass our license to service infants and toddlers. We do not want to construct a wall as we want the infant and toddler caregivers to work as a team and the infants and toddlers to bond with both caregivers for continuity of care and routine. Any documentation about how this can affect the well-being of the infants would be extremely helpful in solving this dilemna.
I’ve worked in childcare for ages, and I can’t really recall the infant areas being sound proof. However, I do recall that they were an enclosed area, capable of having a door be shut (but not always shut). In this case, I think it was to allow some quiet in the room because infants sleep more than toddlers or older kids. It also gives the infants the ability to focus in on the voices of their caregivers, instead of the random chaotic noise that the rest of the facility had.
That’s the best educated guess I can give you.
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July 16th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Infants and toddlers mix in a home environment. I would ask her about her documentation and a copy of the state regulations and have someone else look them over. She can’t just make arbitrary decisions. Some people put in a position of power really like to throw their weight around, especially the young ones. Better still maybe you can contact some one at the state level and ask for a set of regs. But people become very angry when you go over their head. So watch your step. I am not sure I answered your initial question.
I have known parents who demand complete silence when the baby sleeps. Other parents goes about with things as usual. I personally agree with the last group.
Kids get used to what they experience. Maybe you can work out a compromise so this issue doesn’t turn into a power struggle.
References :
July 16th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I’ve worked in childcare for ages, and I can’t really recall the infant areas being sound proof. However, I do recall that they were an enclosed area, capable of having a door be shut (but not always shut). In this case, I think it was to allow some quiet in the room because infants sleep more than toddlers or older kids. It also gives the infants the ability to focus in on the voices of their caregivers, instead of the random chaotic noise that the rest of the facility had.
That’s the best educated guess I can give you.
References :