Rubin, are aiding with Mrs. Hare’s duties at the present time. The project is now in phase one, which involves the testing “All of curriculum materials to determine just what type of approach is most suitable for parents. All parents of newborn infants students majoring in these initial contacts. Those parents not asked to become members of the field testing group are Child’s World given “Parents materials concerning child growth through the first year. ment through such simple activities as dangling a set of keys over a young baby to help the in- or changes in the material make it more relavant. and hearing. fant have to finalized ‘Parents a child will Olson. ‘‘No interest in as well as father.” In July, a research group was all field testing groups. of toys which in the for research group will be asked to can participate in the program until the child is three years of age. The tested curriculum will at- of security may not seem like a monumental task, but to a firsttime parent, finding the right technique can be frustrating. The Infant Education Project being conducted by the Weber State College family life department is attempting to develop a program to help parents take an active role in the development of their children, a role that will give the parents a feeling of confidence in their ability to perform the routines of child-care. Betty Olson, project director and WSC alumnae, says the program is designed to bridge the gap in parent education between available pre-natal courses to the beginning of nursery school training for the child at the age of three. —| ‘‘Much material is available for parents concerning pregnancy, but the three years following the birth of a child, little help is offered,” she says. ‘“‘This is such a critical time in the child’s development, more guidance should be given parents.” Project Funded The Infant Research was funded for $22,000 year by the Are You An Alumni Kathleen Chandler babies themselves, so two studenBecky “a Nielson and Debbie e Missing Person? se Go The Alumni Office Weber State College Ogden, Utah 84408 Experimental and Nancy Hall, all graduates of Weber State. Both Mrs. Hare and Mrs. Chandler are expecting ts, ee ee jhas moved to another permanent address? | Please fill out the form below listing the NEW adIdress, and mail it to: Project for one tension was sought this spring to continue for another 12 months. Assisting Miss Olson are Anna Hare, ete IHas your mailing address been changed or is Comment being mailed to a son or daughter who Education Division of the Utah State Board of Education. An ex Marie ROE mere Holding a baby to provide the infant with a comfortable feeling ee — by Marilyn Karras a are the best teachers ever have,’ says Miss one will take as much a child and know him his own mother and ‘‘We hope to develop a program that- will be very useful to all . parents of young children,” says — Miss Olson. | , ee of will observe the effects of the methods on the children’s development for three years. ‘Parents of young babies need to be able to analyze their feelings about themselves, their spouse, their life and their children,’’ she Says. aware All these pointers are offered to the parents involved in the project as suggestions. Project workers children, Miss Olson says. Critical Time them the best toys there are, the project director says. tempt to educate both parents and First Three Years in “Children learn more about the real world around them if their — toys are part of that world,’’ she says. Pots and pans are some of materials previously tested by the Three Years of children skill | Simple Toys: Simple, often homemade toys are suggested, such as_ blocks made from milk cartons or rattles designed from household utensils. older age groups.. Parents his other personalities and voices. children to develop materials for used use of birth to make next year with the same group of which to Also, parents are encouraged to talk to their babies from the time in- other facility for workshops. If continued, the project will repeat the field testing process organized begin following an object through sight in their homes and make occasional visits to the college or type ar- Parents are asked to take an ac- formation for a printed pamphlet on “Parent-Child Relationships ad Activities from Birth to Two \/eeks.”’ Field testing parents are visited the the tive part in their child’s develop- Since September of 1974, project months, truly The parents provide the project workers with suggestions and reactions to the material. From this feedback, college staffers can make the necessary adjustments workers 21 are selves as parents.”’ three months. Project at Weber State demonstrates the exis one parent do not much simply from their parents’ attitudes — it helps if the mothers and fathers feel good about them- Those who participate in the field testing group receive materials concerning the development of the child from birth to Betsy Olson, director of the Infant Education develop chitects of their child’s world,”’ says Miss Olson. ‘‘Infants learn so Testing Group Mrs. Kathy Chandler and her daughter, Annissa, stimulate the young child's mental growth. is help readily receive advice or help from older relatives as was once the case. family life or child development help make do A change in society from tended family situation reason of the need for education. Modern parents delivered at the McKay-Dee or St. Benedict’s Hospitals are contacted by a project worker. WSC we positive attitudes through suggestions about child care. It just feels good to know how to do the little things that make a baby and parent feel more comfortable.”’ . 4 | Soc. Sec. No. i NAME Name Class Year__| of Spouse Class Year__j Address Telephone__| | city state zip code