More and more teachers report the increasing incidence of crises in children's lives, crises that interfere with the child's ability to learn. Noting that developmentally appropriate curricula must respond to the issues of immediate concern and interest to children, this source book assists teachers in facing difficult issues in the classroom and…

Parents of children with mental or physical handicaps often experience overwhelming feelings of stress and anxiety. Research indicates that support for the primary caregiver can help alleviate some stressors involved in raising a child with a handicap. This study examined how level of support affects feelings of satisfaction the primary caregiver…

This guide assists trainers of school age program staff who are using the self-instructional book "Caring for Children in School-Age Programs," during which time trainers must play an active role. Chapter 1 describes the content, format, and training approach of "Caring for Children in School-Age Programs"; discusses how to offer training based on…

New family child care (FCC) providers often have little understanding of standard business practices, including zoning, contracts and policies, insurance, and record keeping for tax purposes. This lack of knowledge contributes to low income, high turnover, and other problems. A practicum project set out to improve entry-level FCC providers'…

This volume focuses on cultural differences relevant to all child-care-giving settings, including day care, nursery, and preschool programs. Based on respect for cultural pluralism, this concise supplementary text is designed to increase caregiver sensitivity to different cultural child-care practices and values and to improve communication and…

This guide provides a resource for those who would like to start a profitable child care program in their own home or apartment. Chapter 1 of the guide deals with general issues such as examining one's motives for the child care business, assessing one's aptitude as a caregiver, deciding whether to be self-employed or agency affiliated, and…

This paper analyzes the concept of parent involvement in the early childhood literature, and discusses the applicability of this information to the day care context. A review of the literature suggests three main goals of parent involvement programs: (1) parent education; (2) the right of parents to influence programs that affect their children;…

Child Care Dallas planned and implemented a project aiming to produce an employer-assisted family day care system which would meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers, increase the community supply of infant/toddler care, be affordable for parents and employers, and demonstrate effective methods for recruiting and training competent…

Examines positive child rearing interactions in an out-of-family (home- or center-based) child care setting. Presents a conceptual model of the levels of adult interactions with children and examines specific patterns of adult child interactions. Also urges early childhood educators and supervisors to notice and record these interactions. (BB)

Designed as a resource and as a guide for professionals who work with children and their families, this book explores the cathartic effect of humor on children, and looks at humor as an infusion of energy that promotes healthy growth, development, and adjustment in children of all ages. The chapters are as follows: (1) "Introduction: A Global…

This booklet for Oklahoma parents provides guidelines for selecting a child care setting that best suits the child, the family, and the work situation. It delineates 13 steps in choosing a child care arrangement and lists child care options such as centers, family day care homes, and in-home care arrangements. The role of state licensing is…

This document is comprised of a training package to help practitioners strengthen relationships with parents. Designed for use with direct service staff and their supervisors from various programs, the package can be used for group training or in individual training and supervision. The package has three components: (1) a 22-minute videotape with…

A feeling of community may be at the heart of child care workers' satisfaction with their job. The director plays a vital role in creating an emotional climate in which staff can feel safe, nurtured, and challenged to grow. Creating a sense of community among staff can be done in much the same way as in the classroom. (EV)

Outlines the basic principles of attachment theory and its implications for young children's social and emotional development. Applies attachment theory to children whose behaviors are especially challenging, using examples from a primary classroom in an urban setting. Asserts that sensitive teachers can build collaborative relationships. (SD)

This study examined the relationships of family functioning, parenting stress, and social support of caregivers who are parenting children with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. Data were collected from 48 caregivers of HIV-exposed children. Analysis showed significant relationships among parenting stress, children's developmental…