Abstract
This cross-sectional study was aimed at (1) assessing the knowledge, attitude and
practices of caretakers regarding the development of IQ and EQ of children in day care
centers, (2) identifying problems related to this issue, and (3) proposing suggestions to
improve the development of IQ and EQ of those children in day care centers in Phen
district, Udon Thani Province. Questionnaire interviews were conducted with 80 caretakers,
randomly selected from all 54 day care centers in Phen district from January 15 to February 28, 2008.
The results indicated that these caretakers had low levels of knowledge about childhood
IQ and EQ development, with a mean score of 7.65 (SD= 1.34) out of 15. However,
they had higher levels of attitude and practices concerning childhood IQ and EQ
development, with an average score of 3.79 (SD = 0.33) out of 5 and 3.10 out of 4 (SD =
0.37) respectively. The caretakers identified several obstacles related to childhood IQ and
EQ development, including lack of knowledge of the caretakers, inadequacy of materials,
equipment and budgets, poor building structures and management problems of the centers.
These caretakers suggested various measures to solve the problems: providing training
for caretakers, and supporting more equipment, materials and budgets for the centers.
Participation of the local governments in terms of supporting more budgets and
working cooperatively with parents, communities and hospitals would be a successful
strategy for the development of IQ and EQ of children in day care centers.
