Mother's Day Out. Description of a Program for the Psychologist-Consultant to Parents and Their Preschool Children.

This paper presents a description of a community program for preschool children and their mothers which utilized the services of a psychologist-consultant. Originally, the Mother's Day Out program offered a few hours of child care to mothers of preschool children for a very small fee. However, it became apparent during the early phases of operation that many of the preschool children needed more help than the program teacher could promise. The services of a psychologist-consultant were employed, to help evaluate the children, to assess the relationship between the teacher, aide (a volunteer mother), and the children, and to provide direct consultation to parents in discussion groups. Also, a referral process involving a community Evaluation Team was instituted. The procedures and problems involved in establishing the Mother's Day Out program are described; plans for future changes in the program are also presented. Important among these changes is the evaluation program which will involve the input of the psychologist, teacher, and parent. Concluding discussion focuses on the evolving role of the psychologist-consultant. (SDH)