Over the second half of the twentieth century, changes occurred in parent reports of their engagement in cognitive activities with their young children in the United States. This article argues that the growing trend of "parenting for cognitive development" in young children in the latter half of the twentieth century is associated with the…

Discusses how beliefs, intentions, attitudes, and values determine an individual's orientation toward social and psychological events despite evidence to the contrary. Examines how parents' and educators' beliefs and attitudes allow them to ignore data relevant to child development and to support hothousing of young children. (PCB)

Describes the early-intervention program experiences and perceptions of parents of children with disabilities. Discusses the perceived inability of service providers to discuss frankly the fiscal or staffing barriers to services and the emphasis on transdisciplinary teams over a family-centered philosophy. Provides recommendations for increased…

Presents the perspective of a parent who is also an early childhood professional on parent education. (Author/BB)

Recommends that early childhood teachers articulate clearly the reasons for programs for young children that incorporate developmentally appropriate practices, a broad range of learning activity choices, classroom observation techniques for student evaluation, and parent involvement. (BB)

Presents a newsletter that discusses methods parents can use to handle sexual questions or behavior in young children. An accompanying letter to parents addresses young children's sexual behavior and ways parents can respond to this behavior. (GH)

A mother describes her experience and interactions with professionals concerning the birth, surgeries, and early development of her daughter who was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a condition in which the failure of the diaphragm to form completely compromises the position and functioning of many major organs. (DB)

The article describes common parental reactions to involvement in an early intervention program. Issues discussed include the tendency to focus on the child's disability, involvement in decision making, communication with program staff, facing anger, and feelings associated with the child's transition to a new program. (JW)

A parent of two young children who received cochlear implant surgery addresses common myths about this procedure including "deaf people don't support the use of cochlear implants,""if you choose cochlear implant surgery, you are choosing the hearing world,""hearing parents are not qualified to decide," and "the deaf child him/herself should…

Reports on some of the major issues addressed during the l8th World Congress of OMEP (Organisation Mondiale de l'Education Prescolaire). Topics discussed included maternal and infant malnutrition; social dynamics in developing (and developed) countries; the messages of high technology for children and the quality of life. (BB)

This article presents an interview with a mother using a new mobility curriculum with her 4-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. The physical supports or prompts used in the MOVE curriculum are designed to facilitate the use of mobility skills, not to replace them. An overview of the curriculum is provided. (Contains references.) (CR)

Discusses efforts to inform young children about sexual abuse. Points out that what caregivers do in everyday interactions with children is of greater value than lessons about child abuse. (NH)

Discusses the traditional practices and the theories that have been adopted by many early childhood professionals in Australia. Questions the implicit codes of Western schooling, highlighting the ethnocentric framework of early childhood education in many countries. Presents and discusses findings from a study of Australian indigenous families…

Reviews variables, measures, and studies associated with the child care quality perspectives of researchers and professionals, parents using care, child care staff, and children in care. Argues that given the preponderance of studies conducted from the professional/researcher perspective, more effort should be directed to studying child care…

Proposes an accepting attitude toward all crying in young children. Notes that crying has been found to be an important and beneficial physiological process that helps children cope with stress. (BB)