Latchkey Kids: Unlocking Doors for Children and Their Families

by Bryan E. Robinson, Suzanne Lamorey, Bobbie H. Rowland, Mick Coleman

Overview

A timely look at the problem of unsupervised children and the risks and dangers that can occur is offered in the Second Edition. Thoroughly updated with new research, the authors put the latchkey phenomenon in perspective and attempt to dispel common misconceptions. They detail a variety of alternative care programs that have been successfully implemented in many communities in the United States, including after-school care, childminders, and after-school hotlines. Further they provide some strategies for businesses, government, schools, and libraries that are indirectly faced with significant care-giving responsibilities.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761912590
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	10/20/1998
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.91(w) x 9.06(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mick Coleman (Ph.D., The University of Georgia), Professor at The University of Georgia, retired from the Department of Human Development and Family Science in 2012. Dr. Coleman's book originated from his involvement in an interdisciplinary teacher training program at the University of Georgia. His duties in this program included teaching the course "Families, Schools and Communities" and supervising student teachers in the public schools. Dr. Coleman has published journal articles, books and training manuals related to family-teacher partnerships. He has also made presentations on this topic at regional, national and international meetings.

Table of Contents

	Preface	xi
1.	Introduction to the Latchkey Phenomenon	1
	Emergence of Latchkey Kids	2
	Myths About Latchkey Kids	4
	Determining the Latchkey Population	5
	The Magic Age	9
	Results of Early Responsibility	11
	What Price Latchkey?	14
	Looking Ahead	16
2.	Research on Latchkey Kids and Their Families	17
	Myth Versus Data	18
	Children in Latchkey Arrangements	20
	Studies Describing Latchkey Children	20
	Conclusion	29
3.	Growth and Development of School-Age Children	33
	Physical Development	35
	Cognitive Development	38
	Social-Emotional Development	43
	School-Age Children and Adults Outside the Family	46
	Themes and Issues in Middle Childhood	48
	Programmatic and Curriculum Implications for School-Age Child Care Programs	50
	Matching Supervision With Development	51
	Conclusion	52
4.	Children's Adjustment to Self-Care	55
	Planning for Self-Care	57
	Factors in Self-Care Adjustment	58
	Fears	64
	Levels of Self-Care Adjustment	65
	Conclusion	78
5.	High-Risk Latchkey Children	81
	Definitions of Latchkey Children With Disabilities	83
	Implications of Risk Status and Self-Care Responsibilities	83
	Self-Care for Children With Mild Mental Retardation	84
	Self-Care for Children With Learning Disabilities	86
	Self-Care for Children With Physical Disabilities or Sensory Impairments	88
	Self-Care for Children With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders	90
	Summary Regarding Latchkey Children With Disabilities	91
	Latchkey Children Living in High-Risk Urban Environments	92
	Coping With Self-Care in High-Risk Environments	93
	Conclusion	95
6.	Suggestions for Parents	97
	Assessing the Safety Buffer	98
	In-Home Safety Strategies	104
	Selecting School-Age Child Care Programs	108
	Community Strategies	109
	Family Climate	111
	Building Family Life	113
	Making the Best of Latchkey Situations	114
7.	Suggestions for Educators	117
	Determining Risk Factors	119
	Classroom Strategies	121
	Boredom Busters for School-Age Children	122
	School and Community Strategies	129
	Conclusion	133
8.	Suggestions for Librarians	135
	Definition	136
	National Survey Results	137
	History of Library Policy	139
	Strategies for Librarians	140
	Strategies for Library Administrators	143
	Future Research	146
	Conclusion	147
9.	Suggestions for Researchers	149
	Defining the Problem	151
	Sampling and Methodology	153
	Future Research	159
	Theoretical Guides for Latchkey Research	163
10.	Public Policy, Advocacy, and Latchkey Kids	171
	Children and Their Treatment Through Time	172
	State of the Child Today	173
	Emphasis on Prevention	174
	Cultural Context of Children	174
	Children Around the World	175
	Advocacy Movement	178
	Tools of Advocacy	178
	Initiating Community Change for Latchkey Kids: An Eight-Step Plan	179
	Putting the Steps Into Action	182
	Program Development	185
	Review of SACC Programs	186
	The Schools	189
	Indirect Services	191
	Conclusion	192
Appendix 10A	Logistical Issues in Developing a Partnership SACC Program	193
Appendix 10B	SACC Project Philosophy	195
Appendix 10C	Sample Policy and Procedure Guidelines	197
Appendix 10D	SACC Programming: A Checklist for Program Developers and Parents	199
	Resource Appendix: Resources on Latchkey Children and Their Families	203
	References	217
	Index	227
	About the Authors	235

Editorial Reviews

Puts the latchkey phenomenon in perspective, drawing on interviews with children and parents. Details a variety of alternative care programs that have been implemented in many communities, and provides strategies for businesses, government, schools, and libraries indirectly faced with caregiving responsibilities. This second edition is updated from the first in 1986, with new research conducted in 1996 and 1997, addressing special issues of children with disabilities and teens without supervision. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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