Five charts list toys, playground equipment, and other materials found in most child care settings that promote social, emotional, perceptual, sensory, cognitive, and physical development and that can be used, with little or no modification, by children with disabilities. (MDM)

Considers the ways in which young children, their families, and teachers and staff benefit from older adults' participation in early childhood and day care programs. Discusses the recruitment, screening, training, orientation, and supervision of older adults in early childhood programs. (BB)

Reviews research on intellectual, emotional, and social development of children in day care. (RH)

Presents 10 ways child caregivers can provide themselves with opportunities to develop positive attitudes and improve relationships. Includes visualizing possibilities, setting goals and learning to plan, including personal recreation, finding a mentor, joining a professional organization, keeping a journal, volunteering, striving for balance, and…

Examined children's developmental trajectories in five domains. Children were assigned to same- or mixed-age child care groups and assessed at 6-month intervals between approximately 32 and 49 months. Children in the two groups differed in their trajectories for communication, cognitive, and motor development but showed similar trajectories for…

Identifies popular child care settings and outlines several components of quality child care. Lists short- and long-term cognitive, social, and emotional effects of child care on children from low-income families. Describes some benefits of child care and reports a cost-benefit analysis of one quality program. Offers recommendations for future…

Three major areas of research are reviewed: the effects of maternal employment on preschoolers; the working mother and school-age children; and working mothers, identity development, and life satisfaction. Concludes that very few definitive answers exist regarding the effects of a mother's working on her family, children, and herself. (Author)

In an effort to address issues concerning credentialing early childhood directors, explores career decisions and provides a framework for understanding the growth and development of director competence through the career cycle. The career cycles of beginning, competent, and master directors, and the growth and change which occur, are detailed.…

This study examined 236 8-year olds from a state with minimal child care standards in an effort to discover possible differences associated with child care histories. Children with more extensive child care experiences were associated with negative ratings by parents, teachers, and peers. (SH)

Suggests ways child care directors can support staff in their professional and personal development and still maintain a solvent operation. Suggestions include conducting an all-agency training audit, creating a training accountability chain within the agency, providing information about and expectations for training and its outcomes, and…

Maintains that play is a basic activity necessary for normal development of young children; it aids in the development of cognitive skills, social skills and moral rules, control of one's environment, emotional release, flexibility/creativity and physical ability and condition. Also presents teachers and parents with ideas to encourage play.…

Reviews three aspects of literature on parental and nonparental child care pertaining to socioemotional development during infancy, preschool, and school-age years: (1) determinants of parenting and factors influencing parental behavior and parent-child interactions; (2) link between parent-child interactions and child development; and (3) effects…

Surveyed 50 experienced child care center directors about what training experiences most influenced their skill development. Found that directors often had to learn on the job; life experience strongly shapes performance; training opportunities were often outside the field; management training helps acting directors most; conferences are most…

Studies French children who had diverse day care experiences to determine whether day care is a risk factor in socio-emotional development. Finds that early day care is associated with increased social competence and not associated with behavioral problems; contradicts a similar U.S. study. Suggests difference may be due to poorer quality U.S. day…

Two types of information that should condition federal decisions about day care are summarized. These include data concerning the supply and demand for day care and the effects of day care on children's development. (Author)