Grandparents boost kids8217; development: Aussie study

It showed that children aged from 3 to 19 months had higher learning scores if they were cared for by family and friends 8211; including grandparents 8211; as well as their parents.

8220;This new study demonstrates just what a critical role grandparents play in the development of children,8221; Federal Families, Housing and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin was quoted by Australian media as saying.

8220;We know from this study how important it is to a child8217;s development to 8230; spend as much time as possible every day reading and spending time playing with children,8221; she said.

The 8216;Growing up in Australia8217; report is the first comprehensive national study of Australian children over time, Macklin said. More than 10,000 families with children took part in the study, which started in 2004.