The paper reviews the effects of a handicapped child upon parents and families in terms of adjustment responses, stress, behavior and role change, divorce, economic functions, and general coping and support systems. Professionals desiring to enhance parent involvement must first be sensitive to the parent's emotional well-being and must be able to…

This teaching guide for a dental health curriculum for children in the Head Start Program contains lesson plans for the following areas: (1) introduction to the dental health program; (2) visiting the dentist; (3) awareness of the mouth; (4) the important functions of the mouth; (5) the importance of keeping teeth and gums clean; (6)…

Early childhood educators are advised to confront difficulties arising from Alaska's economic problems by establishing coalitions between families with young children and service providers, with the intention of creating new programs and maintaining existing family support and education programs. Evidence of the desirability of a wide range of…

Mainstreaming handicapped children is becoming standard educational practice. However, involving parents of handicapped and non-handicapped children in a mainstreaming program requires special efforts on the part of the teacher. Suggests some guidelines for building attitudes of parents and for learning about other parent-involvement programs and…

Two groups of early childhood special educators (N=325) were surveyed with regard to perceived levels of stress in relation to 25 selected environmental characteristics and events. Highest stress levels were associated with salary and benefits, time management, family support, multiple responsibilities, interagency support, and attitudes toward…

The article offers four assumptions as a philosophical basis for improved parent professional relations in the education of severely/multiply handicapped preschool students. Assumptions focus on family uniqueness, role in multidisciplinary teams, child management, and provision of support. Implications for practice and relevant research are cited.…

Summative evaluation of student achievement in reading emphasizes determining learner progress at the end of a unit of study, end of course, or end of the school year. Generally, state mandated tests stress an end of the school year percentile which is to indicate the present state of learner achievement. This paper discusses and analyzes…

This is a guide for teachers to help them communicate more effectively with parents. The bulk of the guide contains a year's worth of letters that can be signed and sent out or changed to fit local circumstances. The first section, "Designing Your Own Powerful Parent Letters," offers "10 Steps to Effective Written Communication," outlines the…

This collection of 29 articles is devoted to the question of "what works" in regard to parental involvement. The two main objectives in compiling this volume were: (1) to provide general information about successful strategies and programs to interested educators and parents; and (2) to offer context-specific, "tailored"…

Presents guidelines for school district personnel, school principals, and teachers who want to build and sustain an alliance with the parents of children in their schools. (Author/RH)

Discusses how teachers can effectively begin and lead discussion groups for parents of young children. Needs for and characteristics of parent guidance groups are indicated, aspects of the role of the group leader are specified, and ways to begin a parent guidance group are suggested. In conclusion, common concerns of parents are described.…

Provides information enabling teachers to support children and families during divorce. Research and theory concerning the effects of divorce on children, parenting through divorce, and the role of the school are summarized. Practical suggestions for the teacher are presented, and relevant books for children, teachers, and parents are identified.…

Skills for creating an atmosphere that enhances communication in the individualized education program (IEP) conference are discussed. Among suggestions are expressing major points in a clear and nonthreatening manner, beginning and ending the conference on a positive note, and using the parent's and child's names. (PHR)

Describes the action research process and provides practical guidelines for using the process to improve the education of children with disabilities and increase parental involvement. Laying the groundwork for action research, recruiting parents to participate in the research, and involving parents in each step are discussed. (CR)

This article explores the responsibility of early childhood educators to advocate for young children as both individuals and family members, reviewing legal and administrative guidance under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and exploring possible conflicts between family and professional opinions of the child's best interests. The…