This paper discusses the results of a study that explored the influence of two major external factors on children's potential giftedness before the identification process is initiated. The study involved 13 children (ages 4-6) and investigated parental perceptions of the influence of internal and/or external factors on their child's cognitive…

The point is made that studies of day-care use consistently confirm that the most common form of day care is in-home day care by a relative or another person. Group care as it now functions is most practical for a mother who works regular daytime hours and lives within manageable commuting distance of a center. The yearly costs per child reported…

This pamphlet discusses the influence parents have on the attitudes of their daughters toward mathematics and ways parents can nurture math talent. Recommendations for parents include: (1) at-home activities that involve hands-on problem solving, such as blocks and tinker toys; (2) engage in daily math routines such as determining the appropriate…

Quantitative and qualitative measures from 19 parents and 19 siblings of children with learning disabilities showed that family functioning and self-concepts of siblings were comparable to those in families of nondisabled children but parents experienced greater stress than did parents of nondisabled children. Families also experienced…

Feeling a lack of parent involvement, a developmental kindergarten teacher designed a home visit program, going to each student's home twice. Through home visits, she gained a better understanding of her students' environments, observed student characteristics not always visible in school, and strengthened relationships and team spirit with…

Parental appraisals of their children's sibling relationships, and their standards for sibling relationships, were assessed. Although parents reported most concern about their children's Agonism and Rivalry/Competition, the largest discrepancies between parental standards and observations involved behaviors reflecting Warmth. Results endorse…

Examines the oral language and related literacy performances of four four-year olds to determine the role and functions of oral language in prekindergarten classroom exchanges, writing episodes, and print-awareness tasks. Children who are adept in oral use of Halliday's seven functions have a developed sense of their culture's literacy and perform…

This study pursues an empirically derived description of parent self-efficacy and parent empowerment specific to the context of clinic-referred preschool children. Parent internal perceptions of stress, family functioning, stress due to child condition, and extrafamilial influences were considered in separate predictive models of parent…

Interviews with 102 families of preschool-age children with developmental delays identified 4 subgroups reflecting variations in parents' views of the impact of their child on the family's daily routine. These subgroups, in turn, were related to different domains of family adaptation or accommodation. Utility of the typology for early…

Provides information for teachers and caregivers of young children regarding the family contexts of Chinese American children of immigrant parents. Includes information on cultural beliefs, languages, child rearing, and beliefs and practices regarding education. Discusses implications for teachers and child caregivers. (KB)

A study compared observed range and frequency of sexual behavior in 185 preschool children (ages 3-6) at home and at day care centers. Parents observed significantly more sexual behavior at home compared to teachers' observations at the daycare centers in all age groups, while teachers observed more general behavior problems. (Contains…

This study explored early childhood teachers' views relating to culture and play by collecting information from them on cultural differences and parental perceptions of play, culturally appropriate play (CAP) practices and barriers in its implementation. The participants of the study were 14 early childhood educators working in long day care (LDC)…

The findings from a study of how Green families construct and practise versions of an environmental ethic and ecopolitic in the home are suggestive of how environmental education in schools might be revised. In this study, the green home proved to be a very different form of environmental education and practice of sustainability. Children's…

This study examined direct and indirect influences of fathers' reported parenting beliefs and practices on children's development. Participants included 525 fathers and mothers of toddlers enrolled in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project in 14 communities across the United States. Results show that fathers' modernity defined as…

The relationship between maternal employment and maternal and paternal parenting styles is investigated in this study. Subjects included 117 two-parent families with elementary school children. Responses were obtained from 111 mothers and 24 fathers. The survey was conducted by a telephone interview lasting 10-15 minutes in duration. Questions…