This paper presents the history of parent education in the United States and describes a mother-toddler program designed to help young mothers acquire knowledge and skills in child rearing through modeling, counseling and discussion. Included are reviews of current methods of education for child rearing, the need for programs to aid young parents, and the use of group discussion as a technique for educating parents. The development and implementation of a program for 10 mothers and their toddlers is described in detail. Phenomena found to be unique to a group of mothers and toddlers were: the issues of separation, style of participation, and the nature and development of the leader. These and other aspects of mother-toddler groups are discussed. Modern urban society offers little opportunity to experience the support system that can exist in intergenerational family relations. Also there is little opportunity to learn about child rearing in traditional ways. (Author/SB)