Explores the ways in which mothers and fathers are involved in their children's education both in and out of school. Indicates that mothers generally assume overriding responsibility for their children's education. Reports that the more highly educated mothers try to increase their children's chances of success in the educational system. (CMK)

Two studies examined preschool children's beliefs about maternal intention as a mechanism for trait inheritance. Study 1 indicated that preschoolers believe that maternal intention plays a role in inheritance of physical traits. Study 2 suggested that children see some properties as outside maternal control, and that maternal intention operates…

Interviews with 58 parents (71% working class) and 15 teachers in a British secondary school suggested that working-class parents were committed to children's education but view school as separate from their everyday culture. Parents and teachers viewed their roles as a division of labor, reinforcing parents' view of teachers as professional…

Discusses four parent education programs carried out in a school in Gijon, Spain. Describes the social impetus for these programs, key components of their development and implementation, and the results for parents and the schools. Considers the effects of parenting education on parents' confidence and abilities and the limitations of the…

Reviews international research and practice regarding parent-school partnerships. Considers factors common to many nations: parents' concern for their children's academic success; the role of partnership programs in parent involvement in education; the need for teacher and administrator training to prepare for partnerships; and the need for…

Compared the interaction of depressed and nondepressed mothers and their infants with joint attention during mother-infant play. Found that although maternal vocal attention was generally higher for male infants than for female infants, depressed mothers gave more vocal attention to female infants. Found no correlation between mothers' vocal…

Discusses how librarians can help parents become more knowledgeable about the Internet so they can guide their children in Internet use and become technologically independent. Recommends that school libraries develop Web pages that parents can access and discusses Web page design, content for children, and content for parents. (LRW)

This article describes emotional availability scales that are designed to measure parental sensitivity, structuring, lack of intrusiveness and hostility, child responsiveness, and child involvement. A child nonhostility scale is also described. The importance and potential use of emotional availability for educators of children with hearing…

A study involving 21 toddlers with hearing impairments and 21 typical toddlers and their mothers found that child emotional availability made significant positive predictors of language gain. Maternal emotional availability, however, made significantly greater positive predictors of child language gain for children with hearing impairments than…

Examines parent involvement practices and philosophies of an urban education model, Project FAST, to develop collaborative relationships between parents and schools. Student achievement and parental commitment to education are greater in this program than in a traditional setting. (MMU)

Analyzed narratives about future family life and themselves as fathers written by 13- to 14-year-old boys in suburban and rural Swedish communities to examine adolescent construction of self-identity. Found that their writing connected to fellowship, equality, and knowledge transmission. The father role in the narratives gave boys access to adult…

Discusses the importance of public relations for gifted education and the role of teachers, parents, and students in that area. Provides six strategies for becoming a successful advocate of gifted programs, and describes methods for contacting and involving newspapers, magazines, and television. (CR)

Provides suggestions to assist parents in helping their gifted children. These include: stay informed of research and data in gifted education; advocate; guide your gifted child; provide support; encourage social skills; encourage independence and interdependence; challenge; teach your child to overcome adversity; teach empathy; and provide…

A mother describes her experience and interactions with professionals concerning the birth, surgeries, and early development of her daughter who was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a condition in which the failure of the diaphragm to form completely compromises the position and functioning of many major organs. (DB)

Offers suggestions to early childhood educators for encouraging fathers' participation in their children's early education and care. Reviews the history of fathers' participation in care and their role in children's development throughout Erikson's first five stages of growth. Considers reasons for involving fathers in children's growth, including…