Introduction

In order to clarify parental misconceptions and provide appropriate information on child management techniques, treatment of young children with social problems usually begins with parent education. Parent education classes foster social skills development indirectly by teaching caregivers to provide appropriate stimulation and to respond to the child's early social signals. Presenting both the rewards of parenthood and the social and physical hazards of unplanned pregnancy, the course emphasizes the role of parents in enhancing the child's growth and development. Parent classes for new mothers and programs which promote prosocial behaviors in regular preschools lie at one end of the prevention/intervention continuum. Research on assessment and treatment of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers provides encouragement that early programs which foster social development will prevent later dysfunctions in many children. It is hoped that parents, social service workers, and researchers will coordinate the efforts to foster optimal social development of young families.