Asserting that early education is the most cost-effective way to decrease the number of unskilled adults in the future, this report discusses the need to promote language and literacy learning in young children as a way to bolster the country's future workforce. Sections of the report discuss: (1) "Child Care: The Perfect Place to Develop…

This checklist and accompanying video are designed to help family child care providers assess the health and safety of the child care home. The checklist includes suggestions for conducting the self-evaluation and for creating a safer, healthier home environment. The areas of the checklist are: your home, out of bounds areas, gates and guards,…

A pilot project demostrates that a carefully designed program encompassing training of foster parents, use of volunteers, community support, and full commitment by foster care workers can result in permanent homes for youngsters. (CM)

Analysis of communicative exchanges between 24 children (ages 2-3) with Down syndrome and their mothers found that the quality of children's responses was highly associated with the degree to which the mothers' requests were related to the child's current activity and matched or were below the child's current developmental level. (DB)

Questionnaire and interview results from 24 teachers of preschool children enrolled in both an early childhood special education program and another early childhood program, such as day care, indicated recognition of the need for staff communication across programs but great variation in the actual intensity and nature of such communication in…

Examines the communicative competence of young children acquiring English and French simultaneously in the home by observing how they used their languages during separate play sessions with monolingual strangers and their bilingual parents. Findings reveal that all of the children made some accommodations linked to the monolingualism of the…

The interactions of 20 middle-class and 20 working-class Mexican American mothers and their 4-year-old children were observed during a school-type construction task (block building) and a home-type construction task (baking biscuits). Both task and socioeconomic status had significant effects on mothers' and children's conversations and behaviors.…

Argues that conference attendees must approach their training with preplanning and flexibility in order to maximize the experience. Presents guidelines for successful conference attendance, including fitting the conference into a personal training plan, anticipating conference offerings, minimizing registration problems, planning attendance…

Surveyed South Africans to document the status of and need for early childhood care and education. Found that families and community members who previously responded to young children's needs can no longer do so due to social and economic dynamics. Also found training, training centers, infrastructure, and integration of African culture in…

Asserts that teachers at child care centers need to use supervision on the playground to promote children's healthy development. Describes characteristics of successful supervision: (1) ensure safety; (2) understand development; (3) permit childish behavior; (4) engage and explain; (5) recognize individuals; (6) vary activities; (7) interest…

Asserts that child care workers must follow basic health and sanitary practices to minimize the chance of illness and promote good health. Highlights the following strategies: (1) monitoring staff health; (2) maintaining a healthy environment; (3) managing infections; and (4) reporting infectious illnesses. Specifically addresses pregnant staff,…

Presents ways parents and other adults can help young children deal with tragedy and violence in the wake of terrorist attacks on the United States. Suggests giving reassurance and physical comfort, providing structure and stability, expecting a range of reactions, helping children to talk if they are ready, turning off the television, and…

A camp for Los Angeles (California) children traumatized by war, community violence, and hatred gives them time to heal and feel safe. The camp's theme of reconciliation and nonviolence is expressed by an all-volunteer staff through community, teamwork, and cooperation. Nature's diversity is used to show how diverse groups can interact, thrive,…

Identifies and discusses five issues that are critical to an integrated professional identity for those in early childhood education and care. (BB)

The paper outlines risk factors for the development of both communication disorders and emotional/behavioral disorders in young children, outlines communication assessment considerations, offers a transactional approach to early intervention which emphasizes the interplay between young children and their caregiving environments, describes…