This collection of essays is written for parents, professional teachers, and caregivers to enlighten the readers about preschool children's development, the role of parent and teacher, and the nature of the parent-caregiver partnership. The essays emphasize how to observe, to understand, and to intervene with preschoolers, teachers, and parents, and offers an avenue to mastery for all those concerned. Part 1 of this collection addresses aspects of personality and educators' role in personality development. This section contains seven essays: (1) "Play and Work in Early Childhood" (Erna Furman); (2) "On Liking Oneself" (Erna Furman); (3) "On Preparation: 'New' Perspectives" (Robert A. Furman); (4) "Helping Children Cope with Stress" (Robert A. Furman); (5) "Working with Parents" (Ruth Hall); (6) "Thinking about Fathers" (Erna Furman); and (7) "Mothers, Toddlers, and Care" (Erna Furman). Part 2 focuses on specific educational tasks and masteries, and contains four essays: (1) "On Toilet Mastery" (Robert A. Furman); (2) "Plant a Potato: Learn about Life (and Death)" (Erna Furman); (3) "Learning to Enjoy Circle Time" (Erna Furman); and (4) "Where, When, and How to Go on Field Trips" (Yvette Anne Hoffman and others). Part 3 deals with special concerns, and contains three essays: (1) "Children in Hospitals: As Patients and as Visitors" (Erna Furman); (2) "Sexual Abuse: Experiences with Prevention, Detection, and Treatment" (Erna Furman); and (3) "Referring a Child for Special Help," a set of two essays--"A Teacher's Role in Guiding Parents toward a Referral" (Luane Raia Lasky), and "What Failures in Referral Have Taught Us" (Edward J. Schiff). (MOK)