The COPE program consists of 7 phases. Phase I (within 2 to 4 days after the infant's NICU admission) consists of audiotaped information. A written copy of the information is also provided for parents to read as they listen to the audiotape. Also, parents are given their first set of parenting activities that consist of: (a) identifying the special characteristics of their baby; and (b) keeping a record of milestones that their baby achieves while in the NICU. Phase II (within 2 to 4 days after the first intervention) consists of audiotaped and written information that reinforce the critical content of the initial audiotape and provides supplemental information on: (a) premature infants' behaviors and development; and (b) further suggestions regarding how parents can participate in their infant's care and enhance their infant's development. Additional activities are introduced to parents that consist of: (a) identifying the special characteristics of their baby at this time; and (b) recognizing their baby's stress cues as well as cues that signal readiness for communication. The parent activities are designed to: (a) supplement mothers and fathers' existing parenting repertoire by providing them with parent activities specific to the situation; (b) increase parents' confidence and certainty regarding how they can best meet their infant's needs; and (c) enhance infant developmental outcomes. Phase III (1 to 4 days prior to the infant's discharge to home) consists of developmentally appropriate information, including specific details about infant states and the best times for mothers and fathers to interact with their infant. The audiotape also contains parental role information regarding how to smooth the transition from hospital to home as well as how to continue to foster a positive mother/father-baby relationship. Parent activities during Phase III include: (a) continuing to assist parents in recognizing their baby's cues; and (b) helping parents to recognize strategies that help their baby when he or she is stressed. The Phase III intervention was planned for this window of time because discharge to home is empirically supported as a stressful transition for parents.