Caregiver-infant interactions in the first years of a child's life provide models and shape patterns of responding that can have consequences throughout the life-span. Research and practice have produced knowledge about the sensitivity of outcomes to characteristics of the infant nurturing situation. Infant caregivers should accept babies' need…

Points out aptitudes and personal qualities infants' caregivers should have or should acquire. Basic needs of infants for optimal development in day care are specified. (RH)

Those interested in promoting quality caregiving for infants and toddlers should consider several key issues. These issues concern the content of procedures and rules of the caregiving facility, staff selection procedures, the role of the environment in promoting quality care, optimal curriculum for staff training, the adequacy of group care for…

Offers 20 tips for parents and child caregivers to help them reframe ideas about children's toilet-learning timetables and to understand this developmental step toward maturity from a toddler's point of view. (HTH)

This paper asserts that the more enriching the interactions and experiences that parents and child caregivers provide to very young children, the more chances they are providing for growing neural connections and pathways in the brain to support language, reasoning, and planning skills; mental health and emotional well-being; and motor…

Examines the quality of infant and toddler care as a prerequisite for the emotional well-being of children. Offers suggestions on how day-care providers can work toward understanding and generously meeting infant needs: hold and mold; be a responsive reciprocal partner; enhance noticing skills; learn ages and stages; apply developmental theories;…

Reviews research into the effects of various child care environments on the emotional and intellectual well-being of children. Examines factors of early education group settings that could facilitate a positive learning and emotional climate without detriment to infant-mother attachment. Suggests measures at the home, day-care, and public policy…

Argues caregivers play an important role in infant personality development and growth. Provides a review of theories on temperament styles, attachment relationships, sex role socialization, and the roots of prosocial and aggressive interactions. Describes how caregivers promote positive personality development through free play and responding to…

A rational approach to increasing the quality of infant caregiving environments requires knowledge of the interrelationships among three major aspects of caregiving: the adult, the infant and the environment in which care is provided. This presentation focuses on desired traits of caregivers and on the needs of infants. In addition to warm…

This presentation suggests books, audiovisuals, articles, and training materials that can serve to introduce new parents and child care workers into the art and practice of high quality infant and child care. The materials described are easy-to-read and addressed to the practitioner. They deal with a wide variety of issues, reflect the best of…

This study examined the effects of divorce and custody arrangements on Taiwanese children's emotional adjustment and gender role development 2 years post-divorce. The sample consisted of 90 children, 30 in father custody, 30 in mother custody, and 30 in intact families. Teachers, blind to study purposes and well-acquainted with the children, rated…