Noting the transition children make from sheltered family life to the harsh "playground politics" of grade school, this book is designed to provide parents of grade-school children with specific information on understanding and helping children at each phase of this critical period between the ages of 5 and 12. Chapter 1 introduces parents to their children's world and outlines five ways parents can support their children's development: (1) setting aside "floor time," or unstructured time which parents can use to build a strong relationship with their child; (2) problem solving with their child; (3) identifying and empathizing with the child's point of view; (4) breaking the challenge into small pieces; and (5) setting limits. Chapter 2 examines aggression, competition, and rivalry, while chapter 3 discusses self-esteem and peer relations. Chapter 4 looks at the fundamentals of learning and academic achievement, and chapter 5 deals with learning challenges that many children face. Chapter 6 discusses the balance between fantasy and reality in children, and chapter 7 examines sexuality and puberty. Chapter 8 serves as a conclusion, reviewing the five parenting principles introduced in chapter 1. An afterword outlines the emotional milestone of the grade-school years. (MDM)