This paper examines conceptual issues and research evidence related to the effects of day care on infants. Examples of cultural relativism in child development are used as the basis for arguing that there is no fixed list of parental behaviors that can be counted on to meet children's psychological needs. American cultural values and the resultant…

Research conducted in the United States and Canada on the effects of group care outside of family settings for 20 or more hours per week on a regular basis shows few differences between day care and home reared children on four major variables: attachment, social interactions, cognitive development, and physical health. Of nine studies of…

Maintains that reading humorous storybooks to toddlers can support their development and learning. A bibliography of humorous children's books is included. (BB)

In 1987, the National Association for the Education of Young Children published "Keeping Current in Child Care Research: An Annotated Bibliography," by Carollee Howes, which reviewed child care research through 1987. In 1999, the Center for Early Education and Development updated the original review to include studies from 1987 to 1999.…