A literature review regarding parents of children with developmental disabilities suggests that professionals must learn to understand the stages of parental adjustment to the handicapping condition, because parental involvement in the daily implementation of the child's program is crucial. Seven national agencies which have early infant…

Describes an urban La Leche League breastfeeding support group in western New York. The group demonstrates how some mothers are adapting to the effects of rapid social change, particularly on the mother-infant bond. Members are transmitting a style of natural mothering based on complete breastfeeding by relying on intragenerational modeling. (KH)

A parent education model was designed to train teachers to work with parents. Objectives of the model include (1) portraying the program as an opportunity, (2) treating parents as interested partners, (3) providing clear expectations, (4) teaching strategies and skills, (5) recognizing participation, and (6) providing clear lectures and materials.…

The three major sign language systems (American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign English, and Manual English) are compared in table form. A brief description of each language highlights salient points that parents of deaf children need to understand. (DB)

Presents current developments concerning nursing bottle caries--"baby bottle tooth decay"--and spotlights a program funded by Head Start to reduce the prevalence of these painful and disfiguring, but preventable, children's dental diseases among American Indians and Alaska Native families. (Author/BB)

Reports results of reanalysis of data gathered in 12 evaluation studies of early childhood education programs. Findings indicated that (1) enrolled children were more successful than their controls; (2) curriculum and teacher training do not significantly affect outcomes; and (3) clearly defined learning goals must underlie activities. (CH)

Two case studies of an eight-year-old girl and a seven-year-old boy with initially very poor reading achievement are used to illustrate the successful use of a parent-conducted remedial reading program. The program included parent training in behavior management, a systematic curriculum, extrinsic rewards, frequent feedback, and massed practice.…

Ten mothers of children 8-12 with adjustment difficulties received group training in behavioral strategies and communication skills. After six weekly six-hour sessions, ratings on the Child Behavior Rating Scale and Family Adjustment Test indicated that the parents' children's perceptions of family functions, behavior, and adjustment were…

Discusses the history of parenting education as an important component of adult education. Focuses on the first three years (1926 to 1929) of "Children: The Magazine for Parents." Relates concerns of parents in the 1920s to those of modern parents. (CH)

Extensively surveys the literature to illustrate the concept of parent education from the 1830s to the 1980s. Describes historical "modes," or views, of childrearing and the role of the private sector and the federal government in parent education programs. Implications for early childhood education are pointed out. (AS)

Compared the effectiveness of communication and behavioral skills training programs with working class parents (N=34). Results showed parents successfully learned the skills they were taught, but there was little evidence of skill application. Children did not perceive an increase in skills except in congruence of behavioral participants. (JAC)

Interviews with the parents (N=20 couples) of first-born infants revealed that mothers and fathers lacked considerable knowledge about infants. Although knowledge possessed was similar, mothers and fathers reported different sources for their knowledge. Both mothers and fathers were most interested in obtaining information about developmental…

A content analysis was performed on 30 stepparenting articles published during the years 1961-1982 in five major parenting magazines. No significant shifts in the number, content, and type of stepparenting articles appearing in the magazines were found. The popular literature dealing with stepparenting may be dependent on professional research for…

Examined the effect of Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) on the attitudes of 38 parents of learning disabled children. Results indicated that parents participating in STEP became more accepting and trusting than controls, and their children's locus of control became more internal. (JAC)

The cognitive problem solving model, used in an educational seminar designed to reduce anxiety of parents of learning disabled children through increasing their cognitive understanding, is illustrated in three case studies, two of which demonstrated increased understanding and more adequate functioning. (CL)