Statistical Power. The Statistical Data Analysis tutorial page provides a good background for understanding the concept of statistical power. In very basic terms, statistical power is the likelihood of achieving statistical significance, when in fact the alternative hypothesis is true.
In 2001, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that nearly 7 million school-age children are routinely left home alone. âDevelopmentally, children are generally ready to be home alone around the age of 12 or 13,â says Cherie Sage, State Director of Safe Kids Kansas.
There isn't a catch-all formula for knowing when children are old enough to stay home alone. Children mature at different rates, so the magic age for an older child may be different for a younger sibling. By 12 years, many children are capable of spending some time alone, but every child and family situation is different. Some states may regulate how old a child must be before staying home alone. In Missouri, there is no legal age limit; in Illinois, a child must be 14 years old. Parents should evaluate many different factors before deciding to skip a baby sitter for the summer, says Dr. Heidi Sallee, a pediatrician experienced in adolescent issues at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center.