This learning guide is designed to connect personal, family, and job responsibilities for adults and out-of-school youth in economically depressed areas of the state (including transitional ex-offenders and corrections populations) so that individuals learn to manage and balance these aspects of their lives in order to prepare for or continue successful employment. This learning guide contains four competency units that provide information on parenting skills for parents of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The competency units cover the following topics: (1) the nurturing roles and responsibilities of parents; (2) expectations for the physical, mental and intellectual, emotional, and social development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; (3) ways to foster emotional, motor, intellectual, and language development for this age group; and (4) procedures and precautions for providing a safe, healthful, comfortable environment. Each competency unit consists of learner outcomes, key ideas, definitions, teaching strategies and methods, and suggested learning activities. Thirteen supplements include information and activity sheets on the following: parents' feelings; children's needs and how to meet those needs; parent job description; developmental milestones; toys for various ages; enhancing children's social, emotional, and motor development; safety hazards; emergency numbers; solving common problems; recommended immunizations; and an immunization record. A bibliography lists 26 references. The Illinois goals for world-class education for the 21st century also are included. (KC)