Why encourage children to play board games? In the increasing disconnect of our digital lives, playing games provides a way to connect and relate with others on a human level. Strategy and role-playing games provide intellectual challenges and stretch creativity to keep the gifted mind engaged in solving problems. At the same time, the players…

Why children need critical thinking skills, how a climate for critical thinking can be created at home, and programs that promote critical thinking by elementary school children are discussed. (MT)

Addresses the role of children's museums, recounting both positive experiences of meaningful interactions and negative encounters in which such interactions were discouraged or were too cursory. Suggestions for scaffolding children's discovery and problem-solving learning with children's museum activities are offered. (DB)

This manual provides information that can help parents resolve conflict and provides information required to conduct Family Problem Solving Training sessions. The guide, which introduces conflict mediation skills to parents, is divided into four 1.5 hour sessions. The sessions are (1) "Introduction to Conflict Mediation, How to Use…

Explains how mirroring can help parents respond to their children's problems. Mirroring, which is also called active listening, reflecting, and empathetic listening, involves listening and responding rather than explaining, fixing, and advising. Mirroring can help parents soothe and solve troubling situations by hearing and mirroring what their…

Daily misunderstandings between adults and children can create a host of stressful problems, from annoyance to abuse and violence. This book offers specific, concrete ways to communicate and problem solve effectively with kids. The book stresses two-way communication, helping children come to know their own thoughts and feelings so that they can…

Mothers of children with cancer experience significant distress associated with their children's diagnosis and treatment. The efficacy of problem-solving skills training (PSST), a cognitive-behavioral intervention based on problem-solving therapy, was assessed among 430 English- and Spanish-speaking mothers of recently diagnosed patients.…

This paper is designed to enable disability activists, parents, and advocates to negotiate effectively. It begins by describing negotiations for short-term or long-term changes and different approaches for negotiating. Steps for preparing for negotiation are listed, along with strategies: (1) control the negotiation session; (2) never negotiate…

This book provides descriptions of 76 engaging activities that can be used to teach children, adolescents, and adults valuable social, emotional, and problem-solving skills. Some of the skills taught include identifying and expressing one's own emotions, identifying emotions in others, coping with stressors, making and keeping friends, setting…

Discusses sources of stress in children's lives, noting adults too often trivialize situations children face, judging them by adult criteria. Parents must realize children's fears are real, and create a home that minimizes stressors and encourages openness. Suggestions for ways parents can help stress-proof their children's lives are included. (SM)

Based on the view that how parents discipline their children in the early years plays a significant role in determining their child's future behavior and relationships, this book offers advice for helping parents teach their children to accept responsibility for their own behavior, to form healthy relationships, develop sound and helpful…

Based on principles taught in the Parent Connection, Inc., parenting education and counseling program, this book for parents provides information on the fundamentals for good parenting, preventing family crises, and teaching children to be thinking, caring, and confident. The chapters are: (1) "So You're a Parent...Now What Should You Do?"…

Recognizing that aggression in children can lead to severe problems at home, in school, and in the community, this book is a guide to help parents address the negative child behaviors of whining, teasing others, throwing temper tantrums, fighting, or intentionally hurting others. Part 1 of the book, focusing on recognizing aggression, defines…

With its roots in clinical and educational psychology, school psychology is an ever-changing field that encompasses a diversity of topics. "The Oxford Handbook of School Psychology" synthesizes the most vital and relevant literature in all of these areas, producing a state-of-the-art, authoritative resource for practitioners,…

The article presents guidelines for creating a thinking environment for children at home. Teachers today have little time to emphasize thinking skills, so parents must make their homes more thoughtful places by encouraging questions, open-mindedness, discussion, and practice time using simple everyday experiences to teach critical thinking and…