Grandparents improve children's development: report
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A new government survey indicates that grandparents play an influential role in the intellectual development of their grandchildren.
The 'Growing up in Australia' study found that young children who are cared for by friends and family, as well their parents, have higher learning scores.
Federal Families Minister Jenny Macklin launched the report.
She says grandparents are unsung heroes in the community.
"The vast majority of families really benefit not just financially but emotionally and in the development of their children from having Grandma and Grandad around, and it's often the ordinary things grandparents do - taking the kids to the beach, down to the park, going shopping, helping with the cooking," she said.
