This article presents a story that shows the complex roles and professionalism of staff, describing ethics and fairness and the ways biases can affect relationships and perceptions. It also presents how professional staff can cross the line in a parent-child relationship. This article describes some controversial issues regarding staff's…

Discusses issues for child care professionals working in partnership with parents on a difficult issue. Considers establishing mutual trust and respect for each other's views, keeping in mind the needs of other students, and maintaining confidence in the program's goals. Includes example involving a parent's complaint about the admission of a…

Discusses ways for caregivers to improve sensitivity to cultural and individual differences and increase communication across cultural barriers. Offers suggestions for managing and resolving conflicts related to caregiving practices. (LB)

Suggests that cultural differences may be at the root of some conflicts between parents and child care directors or staff. Maintains that the way to identify cultural conflicts is to start ongoing dialog between parents and staff. Notes that staff need to identify their own attitudes and biases and be open to parents' perspectives without…

Maintains that child care teachers can help remedy cultural tunnel vision by promoting cultural diversity and understanding as they work with children and communicate with parents about what they are doing. (BB)

Reminds early care teachers to make quality decisions that keep the child's best interests in mind. Gives several examples of possible parent-school conflicts and guidelines for resolution that keep the child's best interest foremost. (ET)

Examines the conflict which can arise when differing cultural practices of families and child care facilities clash. Presents a case study that exemplifies the potential conflict. Provides advice for child care practitioners on how to combine two differing perspectives and how to move from arguments and misunderstandings to common concerns. (SD)

Three workshop articles concerning parental perspectives on discipline are presented. "Lessons from My Mother-In-Law: A Story about Discipline" discusses the generational diversity of discipline. "Parent/Staff Partnerships" addresses the importance of shared responsibility. "Perspectives on Discipline" consists of a…

Examines the question of crossing cultures in early childhood education settings. Suggests that parenting education should focus on clarifying parents' values and goals rather than on socializing them into the standard early childhood perspectives. Suggests that early childhood educators help people clarify their cultural values and examine how…