Validity data are presented for a new measure of threat appraisals in response to community violence. Adolescents (N = 358; 45% male; 91% African American, M = 12.10 years, SD = 1.63) and their maternal caregivers participated in two waves of a longitudinal interview study focused on the consequences of exposure to community violence. Structural…

This DVD (duration: 1 hour 53 seconds) features 30 video vignettes that show parents and children--aged birth to 3 years--interacting during everyday play and routines. These vignettes, some in English and some in Spanish, are designed to be tools for professionals to use both in direct work with families and for training other early child…

Four early childhood preservice teachers interviewed and observed teachers and children in early learning centers on the Salish and Kootenai Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of preservice teachers versus those of the caregivers (in-service teachers) regarding the presence of family…

This catalog update lists over 150 end-products of projects sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada under the Child Care Initiatives Fund. These child care resources include: final reports, manuals, books, conference proceedings, videos, kits, and pamphlets. The catalog is produced in a loose-leaf format to allow for annual updates, and…

Every child deserves to believe that she or he is truly a wonder. Together with the children's book, the Leader's Guide provides a complete course on self-esteem for young children. The Guide endorses three core beliefs: (1) All children are inherently valuable without regard to gender, race, religion, family background, economic status,…

Noting that attitudes and habits formed very early in life can have an impact on a child's decision to use drugs or remain drug free later in life, this packet of materials introduces preschool children to the important skills and attitudes they will need to avoid drug use later on. None of the materials provided for children directly addresses…

Based on Vygotsky's theory amongst others that play reflects different aspects of children's development and culture, this thesis explores in depth how aesthetic activities can influence children's play and the nature of the connections between play and culture, primarily in the aesthetic forms of drama and literature. The thesis also presents…

This final report describes activities and accomplishments of SpecialCare Outreach Program. This federally funded project was designed to expand inclusive child care options for families of young children with disabilities through replication of a proven model and curriculum for training home and center-based child care providers. During the…

Mentoring programs offer new teachers and providers a practical and supportive way to learn and grow on the job. For experienced teachers and providers, mentoring programs create an opportunity to remain in the field and advance in their profession. This guide is one part of the Early Childhood Mentoring Curriculum designed by the National Center…

This newsletter issue focuses on the basic sliding fee child care program, outlining the need for child care assistance, explaining how the program costs less than public assistance, examining the effects on families waiting for the program, providing an overview of how the program currently works with a county-by-county analysis (a 2-page chart…

This manual explains the roles and responsibilities of caregivers of young children in preventing, recognizing, and reporting child maltreatment within and outside early childhood programs. The manual examines: (1) personal, professional, and legal influences on the roles and responsibilities of early childhood education professionals related to…

This paper examines the connection between early childhood education and feminist thinking. It presents a brief overview of feminist theory, feminist epistemology, and theories and models of early childhood education. The overview lays the groundwork for the essay's main philosophical argument: feminism's emphasis on care, concern, and connection…

This paper reports on a practicum designed to teach foster-care caseworkers how to improve the specificity and clarity of item definition on Individual Service Plans (ISPs) for children in foster care. Most agencies require that within 30 days of accepting a child for foster care, agency caseworkers must complete an ISP which establishes goals for…

This report describes early childhood activities of state departments of education, identifying and discussing six areas of activity that were determined to be significant. These six policy areas, which were identified as emerging as focal points of early childhood activity, were: (1) the School Readiness Education Goal; (2) passage of the…

This practicum study implemented a training program in the teaching of social skills for 4 child care workers at a group home for 12 adolescents having moderate to severe emotional and behavioral problems. The inservice training program involved teaching concepts, techniques, and social skills terminology during the first four sessions, with…