This report presents findings on the well-being of American children from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a longitudinal study conducted at 4 month intervals by the U.S. Census Bureau. Data were collected in fall 1994 and include a variety of indicators to portray children's experiences while growing up, such as differences in family living arrangements, economic and social environments, and the types of neighborhoods where children live. Findings are presented in the following areas: (1) families and neighborhoods, including living arrangements and family characteristics, family income, and neighborhood safety; (2) early child care experiences, including types of child care and child care entry ages; (3) parent-child interactions, including family reading practices and evidence of television viewing rules; (4) participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, clubs, and lessons; (5) academic achievement, including school changes, grade repetition, academic achievement, enrollment in gifted classes, and suspensions. Data are delineated by family or household characteristics and child's age, sex, or ethnicity. Among the main findings were the following: children in married-couple families and with higher incomes are more likely to enter non-family child care arrangements at early ages than children in single-parent or low income households. These children also have more frequent reading interactions with parents and more supervision over their television viewing, are more likely to participate in extracurricular activities and progress more steadily in school. (KB)