Permanency plans made by 100 family caregivers of adults with mental retardation living at home were analyzed. Regression analyses indicated that the individual's functioning level, caregiver characteristics, and support resources predicted preference for placement in a residential program, whereas only caregiver characteristics predicted whether…

The beliefs of 280 early childhood teachers regarding aspects of family-centered programing were assessed using the Family Involvement Survey. Results showed that public school teachers reported less positive beliefs about parents' interests and abilities and lower competence in relating to families than did either child care or Head Start…

Offers insights into the effects of federal and state unemployment compensation laws on child care operations, including for-profit centers, nonprofit agencies, and family home care. (BB)

This position paper addresses three related issues that concern the right of children and their families to (1) receive quality care, education, and special intervention services; (2) have these services delivered through systems designed to promote their well-being; and (3) have these services delivered by adequately trained and compensated…

Examined the role of exposure to speech in children's vocabulary growth. Characterized vocabulary growth rates for children from 14 to 26 months of age. Found a relation between individual differences in vocabulary acquisition and variations in the amount of a mother's speech to her children. (BC)

Discusses one child care center director's attempts to solve the problem of finding a reliable substitute teacher by sharing one substitute teacher between two day care centers. Also discusses the effectiveness of such a solution. (BB)

Reviews "Culture and the Child" by Daphne Keats. Maintains that the book's strengths include the empirical literature on cultural identity and its use of hypothetical incidents with alternative interpretations. Identifies areas that would have enhanced the book, including more in-depth discussion of alternate family structures, gender differences…

Examined how family socialization processes varied with season and time of week for young adolescents and their parents. Found that girls were more likely than boys to care for siblings during the summer. Adolescents' housework participation fanned out on weekends. Weekdays were less structured by social institutions for mothers who worked…

Maintains that the Italian concept of "l'inserimento" suggests a different way of thinking about children's entry to out-of-home care and challenges American practitioners to rethink current interpretations of quality care, teachers' professional responsibilities, and the role of child-development theory. Concludes that cultural…

Used qualitative data from structured written diaries and observational data to compare the typical work performed during one day by child care staff, early childhood teachers, and administrators in England. Content analyses revealed a picture of the complexity of work, highlighting similarities and differences in work by people with different job…

Discusses ways young children, families, and caregivers can work together in toilet learning. Describes signs of child readiness, and ways teachers can be supportive at this stage. Presents a classroom plan to facilitate toileting for 2- and 3- year-olds. Includes tips for parents and for caregivers related to toileting materials, toileting…

Using a systematic storytelling procedure termed critical incident recording, a teacher-as-researcher model was implemented with staff in early childhood centers that include children with disabilities. The approach encourages teachers to conduct a critical analysis of children's performance and of environmental variables that contribute to…

Reviews research on children with Down Syndrome, highlighting physical, medical, intellectual, language, and behavioral characteristics that provide valuable information for caregivers and teachers in planning and intervention. Reviews research on parent-child interactions, providing guidelines for caregivers and teachers working in inclusive…

Explores how thoughtful design of a child care facility enhances its safety, effectiveness, and high quality programming, and helps reduce annual maintenance to high use areas. Concludes that collaboration between an architect and provider can increase the quality of care for children and improve the work environment for staff. (KB)

Investigated perceptions of child care staff and parents using child care services. Argues that early childhood care performs educational, cultural transmission, and child welfare functions, and that current debates limit the development of services that meet family and community needs. Urges new discourses that could facilitate more responsive…