This two-part pamphlet assists parents and teachers in setting appropriate limits on children's behavior. Part 1 begins by illustrating the differences between punishment and discipline. It points to four basic reasons for misbehavior: (1) attention; (2) power; (3) revenge; or (4) inadequacy. Each of these reasons are fully defined, and advice for…

A survey of 30 Department of Agriculture-funded school-age day care sites indicated that interlocking subsystems of community, school, and family help programs place the child at the center. At-risk families need safe and positive options from which to choose, adding an extra element of support. (SK)

Designing a professional development system for parent educators requires weaving together multiple pieces from within the network of organizations providing parenting education. North Carolina examined how to build a system using the influence of evidence-based programs as well as professional credentialing for parenting educators. A system built…

Focus groups with 59 North Carolina parenting educators addressed professional needs. They identified concerns about the scope of the field and collective vision, keeping professional knowledge current, partnerships, networking, and community collaboration. A model of the interrelated components of professional development systems was developed.…

Two North Carolina projects used methods from the National Network for Family Resiliency's Parenting Evaluation Decision Framework. Parenting for Success for Hispanic Parents used focus group interviews and summative evaluation. Individualized education for Head Start parents used pre/posttests of parental self-esteem and child development…

North Carolina's Work First (WF) program, like other welfare reform programs, incorporates personal responsibility contracts; paid work, volunteer work, or school requirements; and time limitations. Using telephone interviews, this study examined perceptions of 31 former welfare recipients who were enrolled in the North Carolina Work First (WF)…

Introduces the Preschool Outdoor Environment Assessment Scale, an instrument to measure the quality of outdoor preschool child care environments that is being field-tested at 50 sites. Describes characteristics of five domains: (1) physical environment; (2) interactions; (3) activity areas; (4) program; and (5) teacher/caregiver role. (KB)