Explored how fifth and sixth graders' perceptions of parenting, teaching, and school differed by maternal employment status. Found that self-competence of students with nonemployed mothers was associated with parents' achievement values; self-competence of students with employed mothers was associated with parents' school involvement. Children of…

Examined the effects of a physical activity program on low-fit 8- to 11-year-old children's activity, mile-run time, and average heart rate. Found that following the program participants were in their target heart rate zone 64% of the time and that mile-run times improved significantly from pre- to posttest. (Author)

Examined a parent inventory measure of attachment for young children, based on observed child reunion behaviors. Factor analysis of maternal inventory responses for low income 5-year-olds yielded six factors. Sixteen of the 20 behaviors could be classified into previously established attachment categories. Discussed advantages of measure in…

Examined parenting styles of families of 105 preschoolers who experienced varying amounts of full-time infancy care. Found that mothers did not differ on nurturance, responsiveness, consistency, parental control, or use of physical punishment. Mothers of early care group were more likely to use reasoning and remind children about rules than…

Studied the recollections of preschool day care experiences of 60 early adolescents who participated in the Victoria Day Care Research Project in the early 1980s. Found that 87% remembered day care experiences. Females remembered relationships more than males. Naptime was remembered as tedious and unnecessary. The majority of remembered emotions…

Compared caregiving activities of Israeli kibbutzim mothers, nonfamilial caregivers, and city homemaker mothers. Found that 5-month-olds differed in exploration and vocalization with different caregivers. Caregiving activities, interactions, and developmental processes provided by kibbutz mothers and "metepelet" (child care specialists) formed a…

Examines the history behind and current status of the professional preparation of teachers in Britain, specifically teachers who are knowledgeable about and appropriately qualified to work with the youngest children in a range of educational environments. Describes the development of an alternative pathway for student teachers with a specific…

Looks at the daily activities of one preschool in southern China. Reviews the attitudes of educators and parents, and the application of social theory to curriculum and pedagogy in the Chinese preschool. Places special emphasis on the words and ideas of the teachers and administrators in reference to the policies created by the government. (MOK)

Describes the development of two sets of materials designed to help group day carers and family day carers assess, monitor, and enhance the quality of their own provision. Describes the piloting of the materials (including development of an inclusionary paradigm of quality and consultation of educational and learning theories), and their testing…

Describes three types of functional assessment of young children with special needs: play-based, family interviews, and the evaluation of multiple intelligences. Claims that all three types are useful for planning developmentally appropriate interventions and are positive because the emphasis is on the children's and their families' strengths…

Claims that there is a "down-drift" in the teaching of science, with even preschools now obligated to teach science content. Investigates (through one teacher's diary) how primary teachers interact with scientific teachings and how they can best be inducted into the teaching and learning of science. Concludes that incorporating personal and social…

A survey was conducted across five educational authorities in Britain concerning the new Code of Practice's influence on special education. It found marked variations in rates of statementing (identification of special needs), proportion of statemented pupils in mainstream schools, and funding arrangements for special needs. Findings have…

Discusses "partnerships" in child protection as they relate to the families of children subject to these services. Suggests that parents are ignored or deliberately excluded from the process, leading to "learned helplessness." Claims that good intentions of professionals are necessary but insufficient for partnership, which can only be effectively…

This study investigated mother-child dyads of differing social status engaged in fantasy play (children were age 54 to 80 months). Contrary to expectations, high-status dyads did not produce more or more complex utterances during fantasy play than low-status dyads. Low-status dyads were characterized by more negative affect and child behavior…

Evaluated effectiveness of LYFE (Living for the Young Family through Education), which helps teenage mothers continue schooling while learning to take care of their babies. Found that two-thirds of pilot participants graduated high school, there was greater likelihood of graduating the longer one was in the program, and women without a repeat…