Examined infants' tendency, from a few days to nine months of age, to prefer infant-directed over adult-directed speech. Results suggest that exaggerated pitch contours that characterize infant-directed speech may become salient communicative signals for infants through language-rich, interactive experiences with caretakers and increased…

This discussion of naturalistic interventions with young children experiencing learning and behavioral problems notes their bases in studies of competent caregivers and focuses on intervention in the child's usual environments, provision of experiences targeting functional behaviors, and caregiver skills that facilitate learning and behavior…

The potential benefits of massage for infants are discussed, including the role of touch on attachment and bonding and implications of massage for special needs infants. Research results on the benefits of massage for the infant and caregiver are covered, including increased bonding and enhanced growth and development. Historical information on…

Reanalyzed data from a study on respite care's effects by focusing on the linear relationship between amount of respite use and probability of nursing home placement at the end of the treatment period. Results indicate a significant negative relationship between the amount of respite use and nursing home placement. (RJM)

The conversational interactions of 25 mothers and their 4.5-year-old children, who had been born preterm, were evaluated during a social problem-solving task. The subject mothers tended to approach the task as a vocabulary lesson, whereas comparison mothers tended to focus on the social negotiation aspect of the task. Possible explanations for…

Argues that the issue of quality in day care provision for children is relative, but that the best alternative to a universally accepted definition of quality is a conceptual framework within which different definitions of quality can be constructed. Describes and develops six dimensions of quality in day care: effectiveness, acceptability,…

One way to ease the transition of attachment and separation is through art. Creating a transitional object in the classroom to send home with the children effectively reinforces the importance of the relationship between the child and teacher or provider. Art also helps young children to express feelings, improve motor skills, solve problems, and…

Reviews two books that promote a view of discipline as teaching and guidance. "Guiding Young Children" (Verna Hildebrand) offers specific child guidance techniques and a discussion of general issues affecting child guidance. "Constructive Guidance and Discipline: Preschool and Primary Education" (Majorie V. Fields and Cindy…

Assessed quality of care in 120 child care centers using several major process measures, including the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, to evaluate how well the quality of child care is measured by process and regulatable variables. The process measures proved to be highly redundant, and regulatable measures did not prove to be acceptable…

Ten guidelines that may improve staff attendance are: create a written sick leave policy, do not make exceptions, be a good role model, require staff to get their own substitutes, have staff call in personally, monitor patterns in absences, supervise through observation, listen and show concern, greet each person when he or she returns, and reward…

Argues that child care providers play an important role in assuring the timely and complete immunization of young children. Suggests that full immunization be a condition of participation in child care. Describes resources that can be used to promote timely and complete immunizations. (HOD)

Discusses the effects of group size, staff-child ratios, and staff training and qualifications on the quality of child care. (BB)

Discusses federal and state initiatives to enhance child care quality and child care teachers' compensation. These initiatives have resulted from the passage of the Child Care and Development Block Grant in 1990. (BB)

Maintains that infants and toddlers, parents, and child caregivers are vulnerable to a variety of infectious diseases from infant-toddler child care centers. These diseases include infectious diarrhea; rubella; cytomeglovirus; hepatitis A, and haemophilus influenza type B. Suggests ways to prevent the spread of such diseases. (BB)

Kinship care, or the placement of children with relatives, is increasingly supplementing more traditional forms of family foster care. A study examined significant characteristics of a kinship care system in Baltimore, Maryland, including demographic variables, characteristics of children and caregivers, and facets of the child welfare and health…