As the number of student-parents on college campuses continues to rise, college personnel are often unaware of their experiences. This study examines the distress of college students who are expecting or currently are parents of young children and the factors that promote student resilience.With a sample of 422 heterosexual college…

Books communicate information to children about social norms, including those associated with eating and foods. This, combined with concern about high rates of child obesity, was the impetus for this study. Information is presented on the food messages in a sample of contemporary popular books written for young children. Highly sweetened products…

The purpose of this study was to determine preservation practices, perceived barriers, and likelihood of parents with young children to home preserve food in the future. Implications of this research relate to family and consumer sciences professionals who endeavor to improve fruit and vegetable intake and provide resources to families and…

Although the prevalence of childhood obesity has not increased in recent years, it remains unacceptably high and warrants continued study. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential relationship between weight status and length of sleep (both daytime and nighttime) among preschool children. Special attention was given to the role…

Recent changes made by the Council for Professional Recognition to the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing program create an opportunity to redesign high school child development programs. On April 1, 2011, the Council for Professional Recognition lifted the age restriction in the CDA credentialing requirements, now allowing students…

Based on current research and conventional wisdom, financial education should begin at an early age. With the exception of a few generally underutilized in-school banking programs, Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore, like so many other areas across the nation, has few or no school-based financial literacy programs. A partnership with 23 public,…

"No Baby Left Behind" was created to have an impact on the school readiness of children in the community today and in the future. Each year, there are an increasing number of students who have learning difficulties. Many of these problems are preventable. Accidents, poor nutrition (of the mother and/or child), drug use, alcohol use, and lack of…

Discussions regarding young children and secure schools often focus on children's physical safety and external stressors such as chaotic families, dangerous neighborhoods, and terrorism. Less attention is given to the emotional security of children in schools, a necessary prerequisite to learning and healthy development. The most effective way to…

The importance of quality care for infants, toddlers, and young children continues to be emphasized. The Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center provided data that support the importance of quality childcare. Their longitudinal study showed that infants who received quality care were more likely to score higher on IQ, reading, and math tests,…

Menus planned by nonnutritionists for preschoolers were evaluated using the Food Guide Pyramid. Protein averaged above 100% of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA); calcium and vitamins C and A were around 100%; and one-quarter of menus were below 70% of the iron RDA. Lack of variety of food choices, especially infrequent use of dark green and…

Building partnerships is an important task between teachers and administrators in early childhood settings. To provide continuity for the children and support for the families, it is critical for the staff to communicate about the expectations each early childhood program has for the children. In several layers of work, early childhood…

"Extending Education" focused on national education goals of readiness for school and retention until graduation and on strategies outlined in the American 2000 plan. The formal education system helps young children acquire basic knowledge and competencies. However, national educational goals identified needs for: (1) greater linkages…