Describes and contrasts aspects of child care systems in France and the United States to stimulate discussion of child care standards. French child care is characterized by highly trained and reasonably compensated teachers who work in classrooms with class sizes and child-adult ratios considered excessive by U.S. standards. (HTH)

Describes the format of, and topics covered in, the Partners in Play training model, which is designed to enrich children's play in child care settings through the development of play training for parents and caregivers. Training focuses on techniques and strategies that help adults understand and facilitate play. (BB)

Suggests strategies center directors can use to improve teachers' verbal interactions with children. Directors can help teachers (1) understand child growth and development; (2) understand that what they say matters; (3) hear themselves talking to children; and (4) develop their observation skills. Directors can also share good models with…

Presents a policy statement from delegates at the Warwick International Conference of Early Years Education that opposes a British government proposal to introduce a one-year nongraduate teacher training certificate course for nursery nurses and classroom assistants, which will qualify them to teach in infant classes. (BB)

The Hanen Program for Early Childhood Educators provides caregivers in child care centers with on-site training in facilitating children's social, language, and literacy development. The program is conducted by a speech-language pathologist and consists of seven group training sessions and six individual videotaping sessions with feedback. A case…

Nine adolescent mothers interacted with their infants in three interaction style conditions differing in terms of stimulation and responsiveness provided by the adult. Results support the position that, by interacting in a stimulating and contingently responsive manner, caregivers increase the likelihood of engagement states that are believed to…

This literature review examines the ways in which children's personal premise systems concerning the nature of relationships develop through the process of attachment to the caregiver. The manner in which the premise system becomes a generalized model of self and others is considered. (Author/GLR)

Recommendations concerning California's efforts to provide for the health needs of its children were developed at the California Conference on Health Care for Children in Foster Care. The conference was organized to discuss California's implementation of the Child Welfare League of America's Standards for Health Care Services for Children in…

This article reviews research findings on the types of abuse known to occur in day care; the dynamics involved, including the types of threats used to silence young victims; patterns of disclosure; implications for clinical evaluation of preschool-aged children in suspected cases; and influence on psychosexual development and the development of…

Describes how one child care center staff helps infants make the transition to the toddler group. Transition occurs over a period of several weeks, involving parent-staff consultation and continual adult support. The child manages the change in small steps, resulting in a smooth transition and allowing the child the independence and support…

Compared child, maternal, and caregiver characteristics in two day-care settings and the utility of a goodness-of-fit framework as a means of assessing the impact of parent-caregiver differences on children's adjustment. Found differences between mothers who chose the two different day cares and between caregivers in the two settings.…

Two sets of meta-analyses examined gender effects on parents' observed language with their children. Findings indicated that mothers talked more, used more supportive and negative speech, and less directive and informing speech than fathers. Mothers talked more and used more supportive speech with daughters than sons. Effect sizes depended on…

Families of 72 children with sexual behavior problems completed a structured interview and psychometric measures. Caregivers manifested stresses across many variables including income, criminal arrest, family violence, sexual abuse, social support, modulation of emotion, and attachment to the child. Foster parents consistently reported lower…

Suggests that quality child care includes loving relationships between staff and child and between child and child. Emphasizes personal attachment and socialization as builders of a child's tolerance, self-identity, independence, and generosity. Identifies positive emotional context as crucial for learning environments. (DLH)

Notes that working parents of preschoolers find it difficult to schedule time for direct involvement in their child's education or care program without special arrangements with employers, who frequently are unwilling to make arrangements. Presents ways schools or centers can create a community climate in which employers are encouraged and…