Parent and Staff Expectations for Continuity of Home Practices in the Child Care Setting for Families with Diverse Cultural Backgrounds (Report‪)‬

Introduction DEVELOPMENT IN YOUNG children is influenced not only by biological factors but also by experiences related to the child's ecological environment, such as the relationship with the primary caregiver as well as social, cultural and socioeconomic influences (Bronfenbrenner, 1979; Owen, Ware & Barfoot, 2000). Culture and society are strong determinants in the development of the individual, particularly because they affect child-rearing practices (Harkness, 1980; Vygotsky, 1978). This article focuses on two routine caregiving practices for young children from birth to three years: sleep and feeding. It has been argued that the routine practices of putting young children to sleep and of feeding children contribute to the cultural 'blueprint' that forms a child's identity and sense of self (Eikin & Handel 1989; Harkness, 1980; Mead, 1975; Vygotsky, 1978).