Discusses the importance of children feeling secure in child care centers. Describes ways in which the people, setting, routine, and ritual of child care centers affect a child's sense of security. (RJC)

Discusses ways to make child care centers secure places for children. (BB)

Rituals of calming and soothing children toward sleep are an important part of life in any child care program, just as bedtime routines are basic to family life. This article discusses three nap-time rituals developed for infants and toddlers that incorporate comforting, familiar routines and objects, soothing music, and the reassuring presence of…

Suggests that quality child care includes loving relationships between staff and child and between child and child. Emphasizes personal attachment and socialization as builders of a child's tolerance, self-identity, independence, and generosity. Identifies positive emotional context as crucial for learning environments. (DLH)

Examines current social issues and the challenge of raising children under such conditions. Discusses elements of a socially toxic environment such as violence, poverty, disruption of family relationships, trauma, and alienation, and their effects on child development. Encourages a commitment to improve the quality of the social environment to…

This section contains six articles on the following topics: (1) friendship and love in the early childhood curriculum; (2) creating a stimulating classroom environment; (3) encouraging children's sense of joy; (4) learning from nature and people outside the classroom; (5) language experiences for young children; and (6) what children need to feel…