Forty-nine day care center teachers rated the importance of certain behaviors/skills in the successful performance of handicapped young children in day care. Communication skills were rated as the most important, followed in order by independence, social interaction, compliance to rules/routines, and preacademic skills. (JDD)

Three experiments, involving five students (aged 13-20) with profound, multiple handicaps, showed that the students could effectively use microswitches to demonstrate toy preferences, to indicate preferences for social attention, and to make specific requests of educational staff in school and community settings. (Author/JDD)

Discusses the concept of social capital, which enables teachers and caregivers to invest themselves affectively, through their behaviors, in the instruction and development of young children. Presents five dimensions of social capital which increase the chances of teaching effectiveness. (NH)

Discusses two approaches that parents and preschool teachers can use to encourage fantasy play among young children: creating a supportive environment and taking part in play. The ages of the children involved can help teachers decide which method is more helpful. (BB)

A recent approach to understanding infant behavior and development suggests that attachment, wariness, and exploration function as one interdependent behavioral system. Major theories of attachment are contrasted and recent research relating to the interdependent perspective is evaluated. Implications for practice and public policy are discussed.…

Maintains that diversity enriches child care programs. (BB)

Interviews with parents and primary caregivers of 10 adults with severe intellectual disabilities participating in supported employment programs in South Australia found parents and caregivers were generally satisfied with supported employment but expressed low expectations for improving wages, career advancement, or social integration. (DB)

Examined 42,679 reports of child maltreatment in Missouri in 1992, focusing on the association between the source of the report and the outcome of the subsequent investigation. Found that anonymous reports were least likely to be substantiated, whereas those from law enforcement officials were most likely to be substantiated. (MDM)

Addresses questions such as why children have temper tantrums, how teachers and parents should respond to a demanding child, and how behavioral outbursts can be used to help children deal constructively with powerful emotions. Distinguishes between normal and severe tantrums, and conceptualizes and suggests intervention techniques. (BAC)

Examines the health and school adjustment of children raised solely by grandparents. Results indicate that these children fare quite well relative to children in families with one biological parent present with or without a spouse. These children are not significantly different except in academic performance. (JPS)

This article describes a comprehensive, credentialed training program for family child-care providers that is family-centered, community-based, and focuses on developmentally appropriate practices for all children, including those with disabilities. The development of and rationale for this program are discussed, and a description of field test…

Examined the views of both Chinese parents and Chinese teachers in Hong Kong concerning the purposes of early childhood education. Found that early childhood education in Hong Kong refers to kindergartens and nursery centers, and that this administrative division leads to community views whereby nurseries are perceived as being only child-minding…

Presents an original dramatic scene written as part of the requirements of a course entitled "Death in Psychology and the Theater." The assignment, based on students' research on a topic related to the psychology of death and dying, addressed AIDS and its effects on the caregiver. (RJM)

Examined the effects of mothers' conversations with their children on children's emergent literacy. Found a clear and fairly strong relationship between maternal conversation and children's literacy, especially for children's print concepts, vocabulary, and story comprehension skills. Children's early conversational participation showed a stronger…

Examined changes in relations among indices of adjustment and caregiver behaviors for 99 Italian infants upon entry into child care and at 3 and 6 months. Found that after 6 months, expressive children received more and different forms of attention than did nonexpressive children. Some six-month patterns were rooted in temperament, with…