How can we use insights from cutting-edge science to improve the well-being and long-term life prospects of the most vulnerable children in our society? This is both a critical challenge and a powerful opportunity to affect the trajectories of millions of children in the United States and around the world. It is a question of particular importance…

The Everyday Learning Series has been developed to focus attention on the every day life experiences of early childhood and to offer insight about how parents and carers can make the most of these experiences. Having a new baby is wonderful and exciting and one of the most trying times in a parent's life. So it is no wonder that anyone caring for…

Early childhood is a critical time for cognitive, social, and behavioral development. Many states have invested in comprehensive early childhood care and education systems that offer a wide range of supports and services to families from the prenatal period through school entry. Home visiting programs are an important component of state early…

Parents of disabled children who experience chronic pain can help children cope by: assuring the child that they are aware of the pain; talking about the pain with the child; avoiding overreactions to pain; planning or modifying activities according to intensity of pain; and ensuring that the child gets sufficient rest. (CB)

Negotiating is important in family living, and children need to learn this valuable skill. Several tips on parent-child negotiating are presented as well as general guidelines for negotiating with preschoolers, elementary school children, and adolescents. (IAH)

Six levels in a child's understanding of adoption are introduced. Communication is essential in adoptive families, and adoptive parents should discuss adoption with children on a regular basis. Two books about adoption are recommended. (SH)

Suggests that some parents worry too much about their parenting skills. Children are tough and do not need experts for parents. Concludes that the key to good parenting lies in flexibility rather than unthinking consistency. (DR)

Ten guidelines for effective use of positive reinforcement as a parenting technique are described. Practical examples are used to illustrate such principles as consistency, immediacy, and specificity in giving praise. A distinction is made between giving reinforcement and giving love. (JW)

Tips on helping children achieve independence are offered. (MT)

This article aims to strengthen the ability of parents of special needs children to function as stronger, more resilient parents by developing coping mechanisms. Coping mechanisms include allowing oneself to cry, dealing with anger, determining objectively the reasons for the anger, using anger constructively, finding support, becoming flexible,…

This document consists of a compilation of 13 separate parenting information bulletins providing suggestions for parents of yet-to-be-born children, newborn children, and infants 1 through 12 months of age. Contents indicate characteristic abilities and behaviors of children at each age and guide parents in parenting activities, such as providing…

A positive attitude is necessary when parenting a child with disabilities. Among principles which help parents cope are: never underestimate the child's potential; find and follow positive mentors; keep in mind the feelings and needs of other family members; remember to consider what's been accomplished; and maintain a sense of humor. (CB)

Parents have the major responsibility for teaching their children values, communication skills, and social skills, and for providing an environment conducive to their children's emotional growth. This article presents techniques, abstracted from "You and Your Child" (Bill Wagonseller and Richard L. McDowell), which are designed to be used for…

Presents practical parenting tips obtained from 1,000 children ages 6 to 12 years from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. Common themes included children's desire to receive respect, caring, and guidance from their parents. The most frequent instructions to parents were: "Don't yell at me,""Help me with my homework,"…

Notes that although parents desire a closely knit family, they do not always convey that message. Provides parents with specific steps to promote sibling closeness, minimize sibling fights, and understand the capabilities of each child at a given age. (HTH)