An In-Service Training Program in Music for Child-Care Personnel Working with Infants and Toddlers

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an in-service training program in music for child-care personnel working with infants and toddlers. Results of a needs assessment determined that most child-care centers offer music activities and that caregivers would be interested in receiving training. Training materials were developed, pilot-tested, and revised. For the final training program, caregivers in a university-based child-care program attended three in-service training sessions. Evaluation of the program revealed that caregivers made significant improvements in their attitude toward and knowledge about music activities for young children. Additionally, caregivers increased their use of 9 out of 11 behaviors considered necessary for successful music activity implementation. The children in their care also increased the amount of time they were visually, vocally, and physically engaged during music activities. These results suggest that a music training program can benefit both caregivers and children.

Family and Parenting Analogies in Australian Residential Child Care: A Time for Change

In Australia the family is often used as a model for provision of residential care for children. Associated with this model is an acceptance of the parent role as the appropriate one for residential child care workers. This article explores these ideas, outlining the positive and negative aspects of the family model and the parenting function. The alternative put forward is that of identifying residential child care personnel as child development workers.

Airbags and Children

The article "Effect of Pediatricians' Counseling on Infant Restraint Use," by Reisinger et al (Pediatrics 67: 201, 1981) is an excellent statement of the importance of constantly reminding parents to safely restrain children and infants while they are traveling by automobile. In addition, the authors' recommendation that pediatricians and other child care personnel actively support legislation to promote safer vehicle (including school bus) design and use is an important point. On one issue, however, I take strong exception to the authors' conclusions; their suggestion that pediatricians support legislation requiring the use of air bags is, in my opinion, incorrect.