A review of 40 federally funded personnel preparation projects for infant specialists focused on: demographic information; project scope; project rationale; training content, including competencies, practicum, and coursework; staff; budget; and project evaluation. Areas needing further examination by the early intervention field include training…

This paper describes the application of correspondence analysis to transcripts gathered from focussed interviews about teaching and learning held with a small sample of child-care students, medical students and the students' teachers. Seven dimensions emerged from the analysis, suggesting that the knowledge that underlies students' learning…

Educational, psychological and mental health, and medical computer databases were searched, and three occupational reference texts were examined, in an effort to identify the position of the child development specialist (CDS). Other objectives were to initiate a dialogue in the profession and among those who might value services of CDSs, and to…

Practical suggestions for improving the mealtime environment in child care centers are provided for child development personnel. Nine factors to ensure a successful mealtime environment are given along with suggestions for introducing new foods and for encouraging independence and socialization during mealtime. A section dealing with special…

This study investigated the role of the public library in serving children from infancy to age six. Recommendations from early childhood education authorities pertaining to 5 areas of public library work with young children (services, programs, materials, physical facilities, and personnel) were obtained through questionnaires and interviews. Data…

This paper describes a project which is attempting to strengthen existing mental health programs and develop new forms of support for rural children, since current programs are limited by a scarcity of funds, trained personnel, and supportive services. The setting of the project is a three-county area in Southwestern Pennsylvania which has been…

A variety of viewpoints concerning potential training programs for day care program administrators are included in this edited transcript of a 1-day conference attended by 30 education and management specialists. During their initial discussion of the role of administrators of day care programs, participants exchange diverse opinions concerning…

The Healthy Steps for Young Children program is a national initiative developed by pediatricians from Boston University in collaboration with professionals from the Commonwealth Fund. This program for families with young children (birth to 3 years of age) provides developmentally--oriented services within pediatric primary care through addition of…

Youth work is a field that has moved from a sole focus on the treatment of youth problems to their prevention, and more recently, the promotion of normal, healthy development. Concurrent with this trend to a more comprehensive approach to youth services (one that serves a continuum from promotion to prevention to short- and long-term treatment)…

Several years ago intermediaries in Boston were challenged to build a continuum of training around a shared set of competencies for those who work with young people ages five to twenty-two during the out-of-school-time hours. After receiving a few small planning grants, local intermediaries teamed up with large youth-serving organizations to…

The focus of this study was to review and analyze current programs, practices, and procedures of child mental health consultation in order to generate an in-depth, empirically derived, conceptual framework to assist in the development of new programs of training and research in consultation. The design of the study included the collection of data…

Offers suggestions for training inexperienced, untrained child caregivers in early childhood care programs. (HOD)

Evidence suggests the value of a pupil services practitioner in a school, and indicates that although such practitioners were prepared informally and relatively briefly, their effects are the same as those who engage in full, formal preparation programs. (Author)

Reviews validation studies on ten procedures for diagnosing learning disabilities. Evaluates special knowledge claims of learning-disabilities specialists. Author finds procedures often lack sound empirical base, yet diagnosis/labeling of children as learning disabled continues. Concludes that specialists resort to bilogical explanations for…

Discusses the importance of nurturing alliances between specialists and families within the context of developmental assessments. Five axioms with family stories illustrate how specialists and families can collaborate during assessments to ensure that services include families and promote acquisition of knowledge in natural settings. (Author/CR)