Decisions being made on Capitol Hill and in state capitals may seem remote from the experiences of early childhood professionals, but policymakers have a big impact on babies and families. Early childhood professionals and parents bring key expertise and passion to policy advocacy and have a powerful role to play. This article identifies the…

Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) began as a year-long initiative to support early learning for very young children and families. The program has grown into a self-sustaining, nonprofit, place-based organization committed to improving the lives of children and families in the underresourced neighborhoods of Grand Rapids, MI.…

This study examined differences in classroom quality, assessed by the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ITERS-R), in 287 infant and 479 toddler classrooms. Classroom quality was compared across classroom age group (infant compared to toddler classrooms) as well as across programme type (for-profit compared to not-for-profit…

The purpose of this paper is to explore the predominance of literacy activities within the homes of African American toddlers in an urban setting in Mississippi. The data were collected through a Likert survey from parent participants in daycares, preschools, and churches, as well as institutions from five different parts of Jackson, MS. The…

Recounted in these two very brief papers are ways a mother arranged the home environment to teach basic skills to her 2-year-old child while enabling her daughter to play in a constructive way. The first paper focuses on learning colors and letters, storyreading at bedtime, and beginning reading activities when the child started to speak.…

The Parents as First Teachers project successfully teaches Missouri parents to enhance their children's cognitive development. The project recruited 300 first-time parents in its first year, then provided them with educational support and guidance during their children's first three years, while monitoring the children's progress. (PGD)

A random sample of 95 toddlers in day care was rated by parents on the Child Behavior Checklist/2-3 (CBCL/2-3). Toddlers received nonparental care an average of 33 hours per week and the majority began day care by 5 months of age. The sample consisted of middle-class toddlers in medium-size cities in Connecticut. Day care was from relatives,…

Information is provided for parents of handicapped children, aged 0-2 years, on the uniqueness of each infant's learning processes and the valuable role that parents and others can play in helping their infants with special needs to make the most of their abilities. The digest examines parents' concerns during the infant's hospital stay and early…

The first 5 years of a child's life are a time of tremendous physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Noting that research shows that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their families actively support them, this booklet is intended for families and caregivers who want to help their preschool children learn and develop…

A study investigated parents' experiences and their views on labor force participation and childcare arrangements. An in-depth interview was conducted with the parent or parents from 60 families with 5-year-old children, selected randomly from 14 schools in the greater Wellington, New Zealand, region. Results included the following: (1) playgroups…

This booklet for parents offers examples of key aspects of children's behavior and learning as they develop from birth through the fifth year of age. It provides characteristics of behavior that is likely to occur, of appropriate responses by parents, and of developmental irregularities that need professional attention. Supplemental material…

Investigates conversational characteristics (discourse features, illocutionary force and style parameters) of mothers of two-year-old twins and mothers of two-year-old singletons with older siblings. Finds significant differences in conversational characteristics, and between twins' and singletons' language scores on measures of language…

The first 5 yeas of a child's life are a time of tremendous physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Noting that research shows that children are more likely to succeed in learning when their families actively support them, this Spanish-language booklet is intended for families and caregivers who want to help their preschool children…

This guide was developed to introduce families of young children with disabilities to the early intervention system. It describes early intervention services and defines the roles and responsibilities of parents and practitioners. The guide uses a question and answer format to present information on the following topics: (1) what is early…

Game playing between a mother and father and their handicapped infant/toddler twin sons was studied over a three-year period. Findings included: (1) the parents spent almost 30 percent of their interaction time in games; and (2) the father's style was faster-paced, with more abrupt beginnings/endings than the mother's style. (Author/JDD)