Argues that while the cognitive area in early childhood programs has been the focus of extensive research, socialization is still often assumed to be enhanced by the mere presence of other children. Assessment, evaluation, and planning by teachers is encouraged through testing and information gathered about the child, his/her peers and siblings,…

Discusses the issue of increasing the confidence and competency in minority parents' strategies for helping their children with handicaps to grow and develop. Also describes the procedures for implementing proper education and training of parents in order to help them utilize proper strategies and to generate expertise for effective parenting.…

Argues that it has not been fashionable to value literacy stories from parents as a source of knowledge for interpreting the home literacy environment. Compares teacher descriptions of several at-risk children to their parents' literacy stories. Concludes that understanding multiple home literacy environments can help teachers think critically…

Discusses results of the first survey of an entire English county of parents' knowledge of drugs and drug issues, embracing parents of younger as well as older children. Asserts that results establish need for more coordinated, informed, and systematic guidance to parents and a strengthened relationship between school drug programs and parents.…

Discusses the techniques used in Japan to assess and monitor the acquisition of auditory skills by hearing-impaired children. Suggests that digits, syllables, and word lists are more suited to adults. Proposes the use of words, sounds, and music familiar to children in combination with instruments based on observation of daily activities in either…

Outlines elements to be considered when special needs children are integrated into a regular preschool, day care, or elementary program. A research review focuses on attitudes and behaviors of teachers and opinions and concerns of parents. The roles of teacher and parents must be considered if integration is to be successful. (NH)

The degree of emotional trauma that children may face during or after their parents' divorce is related to the personality profiles of both parents; quality of parent-child bonding; quality of parent-child attachment; parenting styles; and resilience of the child. Courts and child care workers should look more closely at parent personality…

Considers those defenses against anxiety and frustration on the part of parents and day-care workers which impede the provision of high-quality day care for young children. Uses observations of infants and children to show how attachment theory can provide a structure for thinking about children's experiences in day care. (MDM)

Introduces the articles in this issue on caregivers. Emphasizes that the papers focus preferentially on the adult facilitator of early learning and development and on the relationship and interaction of adult with child, rather than exclusively on the child. Each article underlines a different facet of the important job of mentoring done by…

Examines middle-class child-rearing philosophies and practices and their effect on children's academic success. Suggests that middle-class parenting practices reflect a coherent set of cultural beliefs about the relation of the individual to the group and about the parents' role in bringing children into the group. Suggests that these beliefs…

Compared group and individual interviews to determine views of staff and 40 parents from four Scottish preschool centers. Found that parents' priorities for their children lie in the emotional and social domain and that they want a warm and homelike experience. Argues that staff should harness this parental "force" to resist pressures…

Presents a proposal for professionals in family counseling and family assessment to use sibling interaction as a source of stimulation to improve developmental processes. Includes a reference guide for dealing with everyday problems in sibling relationships. Contains a questionnaire to obtain information about parents' thoughts and actions…

Presents the dilemma of infusion of Christian ideology in public education faced by ethnic-immigrant families. Explores three factors challenging the validity of non-Christian beliefs and disfavoring bicultural and bilingual socialization of ethnic children: family structure and religiosity, community orthodoxy, and Christian education in public…