Discusses common concerns and misperceptions that child care providers and parents have about each other. These center around the degree of parental concern or involvement, or providers' lack of knowledge about family situations. Describes a "why not" approach to parents' requests concerning their child's care. (MDM)

Examines changes in level and types of support that children receive from parents, from young through middle age, using data from National Survey of Families and Households. Finds that, in general, there is no change or only a slight increase in support when children are in their twenties. Decline in all forms of support occurs after age 30. (KS)

This study found that the speech of mothers (n=28) of toddlers slow to acquire expressive language tended to differ only in the frequency of use of lexical contingency devices (specifically expansion and extension of child speech), when compared to mothers of normally speaking toddlers. (Author/DB)

This article discusses the importance of the relationships between day care center directors and their staff; between day care programs and parents, children, and communities; and among day care staff members. (BC)

A review of demographics, family/household organization, timing of life transitions, and kin assistance shows that isolation of older people in society today is due to transformation and redefinition of family functions and values. Transfer of social welfare functions once performed by families exacerbates lack of assistance to elders. (SK)

The quality of early childhood programs can be assessed from the top down, through the viewpoint of an adult observer, or the bottom up, through the viewpoint of a child in the program. Questions that can be asked from each perspective are listed. (LB)

This article introduces this special issue on natural processes involved in spontaneous interactions between children with language disorders and their caretakers. It describes the use of the Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES) to study developmental language disabilities by analyzing phonological, morphosyntactic, lexical,…

Describes a program conducted by the Multnomah (Oregon) County Library for child care providers. Approaches to preparing collections appropriate for providers and for children in child care, providing training for providers, and developing collaborative relationships with providers are discussed. A bibliography of a core collection of 19 titles…

Describes "Day Care Nightmares," a two-part expose on ABC's PrimeTime Live, broadcast in June 1991, in which negative claims were made about the state of day care in the United States. A variety of advocates, policymakers, and child care providers present their reactions to the shows and their recommendations on what action can be taken.…

Provides ideas for ensuring that teachers in early childhood programs provide parents with information about their child's experiences in the program. (BB)

Interviews with 137 primary caregivers with developmentally disabled family members (ages 2-62) on waiting lists for out-of-home placement found that caregiver stress was a significant predictor of the urgency of placement need. Behavior problems of the disabled person were almost as important. Lack of support services was correlated with…

Discusses the importance of child caregivers' attention to normal development of infants during the first year of life. Gut level feelings about abnormality are significant in early diagnoses of handicapped children. A list of warning signs that indicate problems in motor development is included. (SH)

Children who grow up in violent communities are at risk for pathological development because growing up in a constant state of apprehension makes it difficult to establish trust, autonomy, and social competence. Child care professionals need to help at-risk children develop meaningful relationships with adults and peers. (MDM)

Describes 11 ideas related to staff development and center management that have been successfully developed and implemented in day care centers throughout the country. (BB)

This paper discusses the need for child care for infants and toddlers with disabilities and chronic illnesses; types of child care; shortage of and need for specially trained caregivers; influence of federal programs; the importance of family involvement; and a program providing preservice training to caregivers in public and private child care…