| Abstract: | ABC checklists (Adults Behaviors in Caregiving) have been created in three versions to assess caregivers of younger and older infants and caregivers of preschoolers. Two master teachers of younger infants were observed with ABC I during 46 half‐hours of observation, across daycare settings, time of day and day of week. Two master caregivers of toddlers were observed with ABC II during 59 half‐hours of observation. Piagetian activities were provided for younger infants during 1/5 of times sampled, and for older infants during 1/10 of times sampled. Master teachers practically never ignored babies who needed attention. Verbal criticisms or scolds were emitted in fewer than 1% of the times sampled. Isolation as a behavior modification technique was very rare with younger babies but occurred in 1/6 of sampled intervals with toddlers. Positive socioemotional interaction comprised 1/4 of teacher repertoire with younger babies. Language interactions represented 1/3 of the teachers’ repertoire with younger babies and almost 1/2 of the toddler teachers’ repertoire. ABC inputs varied somewhat as a function of time of day. There were no indications that caregivers became more negative later in the week. Thus, ABC proved to be a sensitive, easy to use instrument that is useful in monitoring the transactions of infant/ toddler caregivers and the effects of any inservice training procedures. |
