This book presents a parent involvement model built on a foundation of public school-based parent education seminars and home-based infant-toddler play-and-learn activities. The goal is to ensure that children begin their school experience ready to learn and become competent, confident learners. The book begins with a historical overview of parental involvement. Next, the parent involvement process is described, including parent education classes, a curriculum of developmentally appropriate learning activities for parents to use at home, and a developmental review at age 3 to identify areas that need strengthening and a follow-up review at age 5 to assess the progress made. In addition to presenting this model, the book offers a discussion of the guidance approach to discipline and managing child behavior, including the "fifteen pillars of parenting." It also provides a practical look at early literacy and a chapter on special needs, including Attention Deficit Disorders, the gifted, and the differently abled. The final section of the book contains the complete child-centered, activity-based program, which is a curriculum of activities designed to promote the development of cognitive, motor, socialization, language, and self-esteem skills; it includes key developmental milestones and 185 play activities with step-by-step instructions. Contains 64 references. (SD)