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)

Several children's books which feature characters who overcome odds and solve problems are reviewed. The selection includes read-aloud books, classics, fairy tales, and novels for teens. (IAH)

Appropriate ways to use computers in elementary schools are discussed, as are inappropriate uses. Ways parents have assisted educators in thinking about how computers are used are presented as examples. (MT)

In a family meeting all members participate equally and try to solve problems that affect each member individually and as a whole. Ground rules for starting a weekly meeting are offered. (DF)

Parents can help students complete homework assignments by setting up a schedule, breaking down assignments, and choosing the proper location for work. Cooperation between parents, students, and teachers is necessary for resolving homework problems. (DF)

Offers five approaches parents can use for conflict resolution with their children: directing, collaborating, compromising, accommodating, and avoiding. The conflict management styles inventory is included to help parents identify how they most often respond to conflicts with their children. (SM)

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…

Describes how parents can teach children to be creative problem solvers, providing information from the University of Michigan's Future Problem Solving Program (FPSP). The FPSP model involves brainstorming subproblems, identifying important problem areas, brainstorming solutions, brainstorming criteria for evaluating ideas, evaluating solutions,…

Steps are outlined that parents of handicapped children may follow if they wish to pursue complaints about their child's education. The steps include: (1) identifying the problem; (2) understanding the school system organization; (3) knowing their rights; and (4) trying to reach informal agreements before using legal remedies. (PP)

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)

Parents can encourage their children to become better mathematical thinkers. The article describes how to assist children with problem solving and presents activities that develop specific skills (estimating, counting, sorting, volume, fractions, multiplication, money, story problems, patterning, averaging, computation, magic squares, plane…

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…