The reasons for obesity are identified and its prevention and treatment in children are described through discussions of infant care, eating habits, nutrition, exercise, and family support. (BJD)

Criteria for parents to evaluate include the program staff, activities and equipment, interpersonal relations, and facility and program designs. (BJD)

Describes the Montessorian basic music program for young children, a system that teaches children to listen, play instruments, sing, and move rhythmically. (BJD)

Satirizes attempts by the Reagan administration to address social problems. (RH)

A call to action by the National Association for the Education of Young Children encourages concern among early childhood personnel for nationwide child care licensing. Institutional sources of opposition to licensing are pointed out. (BJD)

Reviews theories and research findings on intrinsic motivation for young children and suggests ways for parents and educators to facilitate children's development in this area. (Author/BJD)

Analyzes the defeat of the California child care tax credit bill and suggests avenues for parents, child care groups, and professionals to use in future advocation efforts. (BJD)

Discusses the progress of development of a nationwide voluntary accreditation system for early childhood centers and schools, reviewing the accreditation process and providing a draft describing criteria for high quality programs. (BJD)

Examines reasons children find superhero play so attractive and discusses how it relates to children's development. Also makes a case for allowing superhero play and suggests strategies to make such play a constructive experience for children. (KS)

Expresses a joint statement of concerns about present practices in pre-first grade reading instruction and makes recommendations for improvement. Guidelines and recommendations are the result of a collaboration among six national organizations. (KS)

Describes difficulties in locating accurate data on child care workers: numbers, occupational categories, salaries, differences in education and experience, and data on enrollment in training programs and final job choices. Advocates the formation of a review panel to guide agencies' efforts to clarify their current data collection systems. (KS)

Defines child abuse and neglect, describing indicators of abuse in child and adult. Urges teachers of young children to report suspected abuse and to serve as an appropriate role model for parents. (KS)

Reviews research on the components and stages of stress in the lives of children, identifying three stages and six categories of stress factors: personal child variables, ecological stressors, socioeconomic status, catastrophes and terrors, family events, and spouse problems. (KS)

Offers a rationale for including advocacy training in early childhood preparation programs, suggesting that, among other topics, such courses cover the history of early childhood public policy, current issues in early childhood, the mechanisms of policy formation and government operations, and political involvement. (KS)

Discusses ways in which teachers and parents respond to children's artwork. Presents six traditional approaches to responding to children's art and analyzes these approaches in terms of each one's impact on the child artist. Suggests alternate and more appropriate ways to respond to children about their art. (BB)