How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

The basic information family child care providers need to run a successful program in a warm, welcoming setting for children and their families

Is your little one about to start daycare? It can be an anxious time for you both. My First Day at Day Care is a fun story about the possible activities your child will experience in a day.The colorful illustrations and simple rhyme help to demonstrate what a fun and exciting place daycare can be, putting your child at ease.

The central issue of daycare is often framed in a way that pits working moms against stay-at-home moms, and feminists against traditional families. But the real conflict, Brian C. Robertson shows in this carefully researched book, is between all parents and the burgeoning day care establishment itself-a multimillion dollar lobby with a vested interest in the expansion of subsidized day care services. Robertson shows how this establishment works to expand its power and silence its critics.

The demand for child-care spaces is huge. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 13 million children under the age of six spend some or all of their day being cared for by someone other than their parents. The child-care shortage is everyone's problem – for parents (whether you work outside the home or not), employers, and the children. The prospect of choosing the right childcare can be overwhelming. Put your mind at ease with Choosing Childcare For Dummies. This reference guide is brimming with practical advice to help you find high-quality childcare for the child in your life – whether he or she is a biological child, stepchild, grandchild, foster child, or the child of your significant other. From figuring out affordability to knowing what to do if you suspect neglect or abuse, Choosing Childcare For Dummies covers it all. Inside the book you'll find out how to Weigh the pros and cons of your various child-care options Determine high quality childcare Evaluate out-of-home childcare Hire a nanny or a relative for in-home care Get guidance on the legal issues of being an employer Conduct a reference check Determine if you need a "nanny cam" Recognize the ten signs that your child-care arrangement is in trouble Ease your child into a new child-care arrangement Find back-up childcare Because the United States has no countrywide child-care “system” in place, we’ve ended up with a patchwork quilt of regulations that don’t quite mesh the way they should. This is why so many child-care programs are exempt from the child-care legislation that’s intended to protect children. The bottom line? You can’t count on anyone else to guarantee your child’s health, safety, and well-being in a particular child-care setting. Like it or not, the buck stops with you. That’s why you owe it to yourself and your child to read books like this one that show you how to be a savvy day-care consumer.

Authoritative but easily accessible, Complete Baby and Childcare is an invaluable source of information for all parents of infants, toddlers, and preschool kids. Dr. Miriam Stoppard takes the mystery out of child-rearing in this guideto the first five years of a child’s life. The book provides information on topics as diverse as potty training and sleeping patterns to childhood phobias and developmental issues. This new edition has not only been given a completelynew look with stunning new photography, but it has also been updated and rewritten with 20–25 percent new material. New information will cover the latest developments in baby and childcare, such as using sign language to communicate with your baby and progressive child-centered parenting tactics.