This article reviews the research base on the development of prenatal attachment and profiles four programs that foster this essential prenatal relationship: CenteringPregnancy®, the Practical Resources for Effective Postpartum Parenting program (PREPP), Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP), and Moms2B.

Pediatric health care practices are ideal settings within which to provide vital screenings, support, and parent education to families of infants and toddlers. HealthySteps (HS) uses an integrated, relationship-based approach to deliver a range of services and supports such as anticipatory guidance, developmental and behavioral screenings,…

ZERO TO THREE's 2009 parent survey, "Parenting Infants and Toddlers Today," revealed that 25% of all parents surveyed had experienced child care-related hardships as a result of the recent economic downturn. The result is a significant number of children who are experiencing changes in their child care arrangements. Transitions into, and out of,…

Families are one of the fastest-growing groups affected by homelessness in the U.S. Very young children are profoundly affected by the loss of a consistent living situation, most especially in the first 3 years when routine and familiarity confer a sense of safety and security. The stress of homelessness--and the multiple traumas that frequently…

This booklet focuses on direct service work with parents and children, and explores how leaders and staff can use the reflective approaches of the Look, Listen, and Learn model to establish high-quality relationships with families. The booklet addresses the complex decisions that service staff face daily by presenting strategies for use in setting…

This booklet explores the experience of being a new leader in an infant/family program, focusing on reflective leadership--using self-awareness, observation, and flexible responses as tools to manage stress and increase on-the-job effectiveness. Section one defines reflective leadership and explores the parallel process of leadership. Section two…

Highlighting reflection, collaboration, and regularity of effective supervision, this booklet explores the link between supportive supervisory practices and effective staff-parent relationships in early childhood and family programs. Program leaders who wish to promote high-quality services to the infants, toddlers, and families can use the…

This book is an innovative approach to the primary prevention of child maltreatment. It focuses on the impact that child care providers can make in helping to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect in families with very young children. This research- and practice-based curriculum offers concepts, information, strategies, and practices focused on…