This paper is part of a wider project that examines the discourses of motherhood and motherwork that enable and constrain individual women. It examines the influence of schools on mothers in making decisions to seek diagnosis and treatment for their children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Here it is found that the business…

Research shows that stress in the crucial early years of a child's life can pose dramatic, lasting challenges to development, learning, and behavior. This is the practical book early childhood professionals need to recognize stress in young children--and intervene with proven relief strategies before pressures turn into big problems. Developed by…

Suggestions are given to teachers of handicapped students concerning developing helpful relationships with parents. Topics covered include what parents want to know, preparing for a teacher-parent conference, selecting a place, making arrangements for the conference, obtaining further information, communicating with parents, and working with…

A teacher describes the value of making home visits to her learning disabled students. She cites the positive aspects, including the student's anticipation of and preparation for the visit, the buildup of trust, and the chance to communicate with the student's family. (CL)

Dimensions of a rich and nurturing learning climate for the early childhood years are discussed. Contents focus on: (1) the early childhood scene; (2) the teacher's role in creating a positive learning climate; (3) the transition from home to school during the first few days of school; (4) the outdoor classroom; (5) school climate and staff…

The guide is designed to facilitate communication training in the classroom and at home through involvement of parents in the education of their severely multiple handicapped child. Section 1 addresses the advantages of family involvement in the areas of assessment, programing, classroom assistance, and advocacy. The next three sections deal with…

Guidelines are given for conducting positive, effective conferences.

Argues that teachers need to sell their wares more aggressively to parents. (Editor)

The article offers suggestions that teachers can use to help redirect angry parents to more productive paths. Suggestions stress the importance of listening to engender trust and defuse anger and clarifying the central sources of parental anger. (CL)

Provides practical ideas for developing productive and agreeable parent/teacher relationships. (RH)

The purpose of this position statement is to promote excellence in early childhood education by providing a framework for best practice. Grounded both in the research on child development and learning and in the knowledge base regarding educational effectiveness, the framework outlines practice that promotes young children's optimal learning and…

Growing concerns about the experience and achievement of Black pupils (especially Black males) underpin calls for more Black people to serve as teacher and lay mentor role models in schools. Calls for increased numbers of Black teacher role models assume firstly, that Black teachers regard themselves as role models and want to perform such a role…

This handbook for teachers on conducting a successful parent-teacher conference offers suggestions on: (1) key factors of a successful conference; (2) kinds of individual conferences; (3) creating a positive conference environment; (4) preparing for the conference; (5) conducting the conference; (6) concluding the conference; (7) following the…

Author writes two letters: the first in her role as a parent and the other is her own reaction to it as a teacher. (CB)

Offers guidelines designed to diminish many commonly held teacher fears about conferences with parents. Stresses planning, commonalities, climate, control, and conclusion. (FL)