Analysis of survey responses from 42 families of infants/toddlers with special needs found that both mothers and fathers desired involvement in the child's early intervention program and that their major perceived need was for information. However, differences were found between fathers' and mothers' preferred formats for receiving information.…

Investigated the relationship between Singaporean preschoolers' play and language patterns. Observations of 56 children at play in a standardized setting in their classrooms and in their homes were videotaped and analyzed using two play measures and five language measures. Higher levels of play and higher levels of language were found to…

Ten factors that school clinicians should consider in determining treatment of children who stutter include, among others, increasing clinicians' confidence in treating stuttering, setting long-term and short-term goals, involving parents and teachers in treatment, and determining when the child is ready to be dismissed from treatment. (SW)

This report examines why parents of visually impaired children in India sometimes fail to assume appropriate roles in the rehabilitation process. It describes the media available to educate parents and discusses two direct training programs in rural villages, which teach rehabilitation techniques to parents and children. (Author/DB)

Traces development of idea of special rights for children. Describes United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child as change in view of children's rights as part of human rights. Includes innovations such as participation rights, rehabilitation for children suffering exploitation or cruelty, and articles on adoption and administration of…

In sample of 177 clinic-referred children aged 7-13, association was found between diagnosis of conduct disorder and several aspects of family functioning: maternal parenting (supervision and persistence in discipline) and parent adjustment (paternal antisocial personality disorder and paternal substance abuse). Children with oppositional defiant…

Analysis of survey responses of elementary and junior high students (n=1,527) in regular, resource, and self-contained special education classrooms found significant main effects for group, grade, and group by grade interactions for amount, type, and time spent doing homework; opportunity to do homework at school; parents' assistance; and…

Compared the attachment classification distributions of 23 infants in Israeli kibbutzim with communal sleeping arrangements with those of 25 infants in kibbutzim with home-based sleeping arrangements. Among the home-based infants, 80% were securely attached to their mothers versus only 48% of the infants in communal sleeping arrangements. (MDM)

Reports results from a study of 45 playgroups and interviews with 435 mothers in England. Extent and nature of parent involvement, including that of fathers, and relations between involvement and socioeconomic characteristics of parents were studied. Involvement by mothers is substantial but not universal, and participation by fathers is rare.…

This memoir and appreciation of the author's father highlights the invisibility of the African American family man. Hope and the struggle to avoid disappointment in one's own life are qualities that sustain such men. (SLD)

Reviews five books: (1) "Language Acquisition: A Linguistic Introduction" (Helen Goodluck); (2) "Pathways to Number: Children's Developing Numerical Abilities" (Jacqueline Bideaud and others); (3) "The Collaborative Construction of Pretend" (Carolee Howes); (4) "The Role of Parents in the Development of Child's Peer Acceptance" (Maja Dekovic); and…

This article examines Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) developed with parents with special needs/mental retardation in a model early intervention program. Results suggest that such parents can participate fully in the IFSP process when the process stresses relationship building, empowerment, interagency collaboration, and program…

Childhood obesity is a social and health problem that is encouraged by junk food ads and the easy availability of unhealthful fast foods. The article provides guidance for parents to encourage healthy eating by their children; it includes a list of resources and a list of "best" processed foods. (SM)

Adults in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong completed questionnaires about their perceptions of their parents' warmth and control during the subjects' childhood. Mothers were perceived as warmer and less controlling than fathers. In comparison to sons, daughters saw their fathers as warmer and less controlling. (BC)

Parents can offer a college time, loyalty, and money. Leading roles currently played by parents in campus programs include recruiter, career counselor, political supporter, and fundraiser. Keeping track of parents, organizing and orienting them as volunteers, funding the programs, and assessing the efforts' effectiveness are important elements.…