Provides a history of early childhood care and education in pre- and postindependent India. Outlines current education schemes and examines the contribution of research to this area, suggesting that the current interaction between researcher and policymaker may result in more concrete promotion of early childhood programs. (TJQ)

Reports the results of a study measuring the construct "caregiver burden," as traditionally defined versus when compared to perceived stress. The Perceived Stress Scale was found to be a better predictor of mental and physical health status for 107 spouse caregivers of persons with brain injuries than was a traditional measure of…

Reviews five articles on infants and toddlers and the adults who care for them. Includes discussions of caregiver stability and attachment behavior; infants' sensory abilities; alternative public schooling for pregnant teenagers; and the psychosocial, behavioral, and developmental characteristics of toddlers prenatally exposed to cocaine. (DR)

Examined the relationships between day-care quality, children's emotional expression, and temperament among 60 3- to 5-year-olds in 26 day-care centers. Found that the appropriateness of the caregiving, but not the appropriateness of activities in the child-care center, significantly predicted the proportion of positive emotional affect in…

Details how an unplanned activity involving spinning wool presented a teachable moment for children in a family child care setting. Notes how activities related to farming, spinning wool, and using wool cloth resulted from following the children's lead. Concludes that everyday activities provide opportunities to listen to children, learn about…

Interviewed parents and caregivers to assess perceptions of their child's transition from kindergarten to Grade 1. Themes identified included: anxiety about preparing and protecting children in a system viewed as curriculum-driven; apprehension about changes in the parent/caregiver role; escaping from the school's stereotypes of the family; and…

Compares the objective (time demand and support provided) and subjective dimensions (caregiving burden) of caregiving for fathers and mothers of children and adults with mental retardation. Results based on 113 families indicate that mothers spent more time providing care, offered more types of support, and perceived more caregiving burden. (RJM)

A review of eight studies investigated the life quality of people caring for a relative with a severe disability within their family. An analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data indicate that primary caregivers are at considerable risk of high stress, clinical depression, and abnormally low subjective quality of life. (Contains…

Anticipatory grief may have beneficial effects for caregivers of people with HIV infection or AIDS. Illness duration, stigmatization, and multiple losses may impede the caregiver's ability to effectively engage in the grief process, however. Discusses the impact of these aspects of the disease on the anticipatory grief process and mourning tasks…

Investigated the reliability and item appropriateness, as discerned by adults affiliated with an infant center, of the Caregiver-Environment Scale (CES). Found the CES to be an easy to use, reliable instrument for evaluation. (Author/SD)

Because more than 3.75 million children are being raised in households headed by a grandparent, this article attempts to describe contextual aspects of custodial grandparent families. Implications for working with custodial grandparent families, as well as suggested strategies for building close collaborations, are also provided. (Author/DB)

Surveyed childminders in England about training and employment histories, working conditions, motivation, commitment, and work satisfaction. Identified two groups: one for whom childminding may be a passing phase in their employment career and one who consider it a long-term career. Considered findings with reference to aims of the National…

Explored relations between additive and cumulative representations of contextual risk, caregiver emotionality, child adaptability, and teacher reports of problem behaviors of 6- and 7-year-olds from economically disadvantaged families. Found evidence that the relation for cumulative risk may be moderated by caregiver negative emotionality and…

Discusses the following six strategies for using positive discipline in the classroom: (1) develop appropriate limits; (2) teach expected behavior; (3) give cues for expected behaviors; (4) redirect behavior; (5) change situations by increasing options; and (6) change situations by decreasing options. Contrasts different caregiving styles and…

This study examined the direct and indirect relationships between caring for a person with dementia and caregiver health. A conceptual model of the caregiver stress process considered informal caregiver characteristics, sources of caregiver stress, and the influence of informal and formal support on the well-being of the caregivers of persons with…