Fifteen mothers read stories aloud to their young children, and analysis indicated that vowels in content words--but not function words--were significantly longer in child-directed than in adult-directed speech. It is suggested that this might contribute to the exclusion of function words during the early stages of English language development.…

Describes a variant on parentese involving parent's use of irregular and unpredictable grammar, compares it to parentese directed toward normal learners, relates it to patterns of parentese observed in other families, particularly parents of children with handicaps, and deduces its function. (10 references) (GLR)

Investigates the relationship between children's single word utterances and maternal single-word utterances expressing similar communicative intents in 24 Hebrew-speaking dyads (the children were aged about 1; 6). Results suggest that children's single-word utterances are similar to, and probably learned from, single-word utterances of caretakers…

Discusses how allowing ourselves to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for a project in front of the children in our care can motivate and inspire them to strive in ways they might not otherwise attempt. (HTH)

A program to improve the quality of work relationships among managers and staff of group homes for the developmentally disabled includes three strategies: (1) adding people to the employee's social network; (2) improving skills for maintaining networks; and (3) training network members to be more supportive. (SK)

Reviews research from 1980s focusing on families who are beyond child-rearing years. Sees later-life families as characterized by continuity and changes as they experience marriage, divorce, widowhood, remarriage, childlessness, grandparenthood, sibling relationships, and family caregiving. Suggests areas for future research focusing on…

Interpreted results of needs assessment completed by active caregivers (n=58) and former caregivers (n=57) of relatives with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results imply need for high-quality educational material throughout caregiving, improved training for health professionals about AD, and role for former caregivers as information resources.…

In a study of 57 older parent caregivers of adult children with mental retardation, more than half had not planned for the child's future care. Factors related to future care-planning activity were income, race, child's gender, child's level of adaptive behavior, and degree of parental interaction with relatives and friends. (Author/JDD)

Describes several ways for child care center directors to approach staff evaluations. Discusses factors that contribute to the difficulty of this task and offers several models and guidelines developed by researchers for selecting good evaluation systems. Emphasizes the importance of a positive and supportive relationship between the director and…

Answers questions about health concerns regarding contamination of perishable foods, the association between electromagnetic field exposure and cancer, measles immunization for children and adults, and the newest recommendations for meningitis (Hib) vaccine. (SH)

Explored differences between caregiving daughters' (n=150) perceptions of their own and their mothers' personalities. Daughters generally rated their mothers more negatively than themselves. Functional impairment was not related to assessment of mothers' personalities, whereas psychological and cognitive impairments were. (ABL)

Intergenerational day care is a growing trend. Training of dual caregivers involves three challenges: (1) identifying minimum knowledge needed to work with both adults and children; (2) lack of data on effects of intergenerational care; and (3) hesitancy of students and faculty to study/teach about both groups. (SK)

Tested model representing hypothesis that perceived control mediates objective and subjective aspects of caregiving and caregiver adaptation. Findings from 60 elderly family caregivers revealed that perceived control had direct relationship with life satisfaction and depression and indirect relationship with subjective symptoms of stress. Wishful…

Forty-eight male infants (tested at ages three and four months) experienced either conversational turn-taking or random responsiveness of their mothers. Contingency did not affect the infant's rate of vocalizing but influenced its quality and timing. Intervals at which mother delivered contingent responses were longer when infant was older.…

Notes that family life education programs for older adults address issues of marriage, sexuality, retirement and family life, widowhood, intergenerational relations, and caregiving. For each of these issues, research is briefly reviewed, educational programs are discussed, and issues for future are noted. Seven guidelines for development of family…