Suggests strategies for caregivers to encourage peer interactions in infant/toddler programs. Strategies include helping children become familiar with surroundings and one another, maintaining social groups and friendships, varying the number and types of toys available at one time, controlling the number of children in a particular space, and…

Studied the dimensions that underlie family coping with head injury by replicating and extending an earlier study. Identified two dimensions: (1) using social support versus cognitive coping; and (2) head injury--focused coping versus family tension management. Results provide additional evidence regarding the structure of family coping across…

Examined capacity of 4-month olds to identify their maternal language (Catalan or Spanish) when phonologically similar languages are contrasted. Compared infants from monolingual and bilingual environments to analyze whether differences in linguistic background affect this behavioral response. Found that language discrimination is already possible…

This study examined the relationship between classroom culture, determined by the teacher's beliefs and values about their role in working with children, and children's behavior in that environment. Fifty 3-year-olds attending child care full time were videotaped during play, and their conflicts were transcribed. Results suggest a link between…

Responses from 396 women and 316 men with caregiving responsibilities showed that eldercare significantly interfered with women's jobs, but not with men's. Family responsibilities were related to women's job dissatisfaction and absenteeism. Work's interference with family was associated with job costs for both genders and with job…

Explored attitudes toward the division of fathers' and mothers' participation in childcare/household tasks using data from the Euro-barometer surveys that involved over 10,000 respondents from 13 European countries. Respondents were most likely to hold egalitarian views of household work and childcare when they were younger, female, and…

In a study of 66 in-utero drug exposed (IUDE) infants, evaluated infant cognitive status, caregiver-infant interaction, and caregiver cognitive functioning (IQ) to determine which caregiver variables were associated with infant cognitive status. Analysis indicated that caregiver IQ was the only statistically significant coefficient in the model…

Analyzed data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being regarding predictors of client satisfaction with child welfare workers. Found that caregiver reports of having fewer than two child welfare workers, having more recent contact, and receiving timely, responsive services were associated with higher perceived quality of…

Patterns of mother and sibling object labeling were observed during play. Subjects were 40 Mexican-descent mothers, their children aged 2-3, and older siblings. Mothers provided names for objects (referential labeling) as often as they mentioned objects within the ongoing activity (labeling in action), while siblings more frequently used…

Offers eight suggestions for child care center teachers recently promoted to supervisory positions. Considers the supervisor's need to make decisions, communicate, define expectations, stay connected with staff, create a culture that encourages new ideas, and set the tone for the work environment by example. (JPB)

Routine child care by grandparents was examined for 1,229 children who were participants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care. Findings suggest that grandparent care, whether part- or extended full-time, is heterogeneous and may occur in response to different family circumstances.…

Explores family-style meal service as a means to building autonomy and healthy eating behaviors in young children. Discusses the development of food preferences, age-related developmental responses to food, and the importance of socially mediated exposure to food as a way to increased food acceptance. Presents guidelines for implementing…

This naturalistic study, designed to explore family empowerment as one outcome of cooperative preschool education, included observation, focus groups, and home visits with caregiver participants. Findings highlight the personal growth and acquisition of skills that occurred during the empowerment process in such areas as affiliation, setting the…

Asserts that the key to assisting those trying to negotiate the "survival" dimensions of their first years as teachers or center directors is immediate responsiveness to concerns and needs. Recommends on-site mentors to support first-year teachers/administrators in reflective practice and to serve as sounding board, colleague, coach, and…

Examined the extent and type of assistance older people provided to others. Age, gender, and perceived health status were the most consistent predictors of assistance. Help with instrumental activities of daily living, either alone or in combination with other activities of daily living, was the most common type of personal care provided. (RJM)