Parents and Children Growing Together: Resources To Help You Help Your Child in School Books and Videos

Books: General Titles

The Everything Parents' Guide to Raising Girls by Erika V. Shearin Karres, with technical review by Rebecca Rutledge.(2007)

Having kids is a challenging endeavor in itself, but bringing up girls in today's world can be especially difficult. Gives you the information and resources you need to raise happy, healthy daughters from birth to adolescence. Well-known parenting expert Dr. Erika breaks down what you need to know.

Fathering Your School-Age Child: a Dad's Guide to the Wonder Years 3-9 by Armin A. Brott. (2007)

With wisdom, compassion, and humor, author Brott covers pre-kindergarten through the fourth grade and outlines the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social changes the child is going though, and examines the emotional and psychological development the father may be experiencing as well.

The Good Enough Mother: the Perfectly Imperfect Book of Parenting by Rene Syler with Karen Moline. ( 2007)

An Early Show anchorwoman recounts her experiences as a "proudly imperfect" mother of two, offering a reassuring portrayal of modern motherhood that suggests that children can emerge healthy and well-adjusted in spite of the concessions inherent to today's challenging work-life balance.

How Is My 1st —6 th Grader Doing in School? What to Expect and How to Help. (various volumes by Jennifer Jacobson)

Guides for parents of first through sixth graders are designed to help them work with their children and respective teachers to enhance classroom learning, assess proficiency in various subjects and skills, and provide activities that focus on tangible skills rather than rote learning.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish; illustrations by Kimberly Ann Coe. (2004) (C/WMARS)

Details a program for improving communication between parents and children, providing sample dialogues, role-playing exercises, and humorous yet illuminating cartoons.

It's a Boy!: Understanding Your Son's Development from Birth to Age 18 by Michael Thompson and Teresa Barker. (2008)

A handbook for parents on raising boys, from birth to age eighteen, offers practical advice on how to deal with the day-to-day challenges of each stage of development and offers helpful information on boys' emotional, psychological, social, and academic life.

The Mom Book Goes to School by Stacy DeBroff. (2005)

A guide for parents on how to become effective advocates for school-age children covers such topics as responding appropriately to poor grades, fostering a productive relationship with a teacher, and avoiding homework problems.

Raising Young Children Well: Insights & Ideas for Parents and Teachers [edited by] by Sandra Radzanower Wolkoff, Neala S. Schwartzberg, Jane E. Meckwood-Yazdpour. (2006)

A collection of top-selected articles from the award-winning Parent & Preschooler Newsletter draws on real-life examples to guide parents and professionals through the tribulations of early childhood, from tantrums and esteem issues to bedtime tussles and preschool.

School Sense: How to Help Your Child Succeed in Elementary School by Tiffani Chin. (2004)

Parents are provided with the information they need to make the most of their children's elementary school experience in this useful reference. Recognizing that all children and parents have their own needs, strengths, and weaknesses, this guide offers a range of suggestions and examples to help parents learn how schools work and how to accomplish specific goals for their children. Choosing schools, communicating with teachers, and helping children with homework and projects are some of the topics covered.

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne with Lisa M. Ross. (2009)

Outlines a four-step program for busy parents whose schedules are taking a toll on their family lives, sharing counsel on decluttering a home, increasing a child's sense of security, scheduling down time, and instilling calmness in the face of hectic environments.

The Successful Child: What Parents Can Do to Help Kids Turn Out Well by William Sears and Martha Sears ; with Elizabeth Pantley. (2002)

In a new parenting handbook, the authors of The Discipline Book apply their parenting philosophy to the problems of raising an older child, offering various techniques and strategies of retaining a child's trust and remaining a positive influence during the maturing process so that children can negotiate successfully the unique challenges of adolescence.

Books: Special Issues

50 Wonderful Ways to be a Single-Parent Family by Barry G. Ginsberg. (2003)

A single-parent's guide to building intimacy in the family shares dozens of easy-to-incorporate techniques and strategies for building new traditions and rituals.

100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style by Cathy Duffy. (2005)

A critical volume for the homeschooling community that helps parents make informed choices regarding learning styles and curriculum.

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: from Pre-School to High School: How Parents & Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence by Barbara Coloroso. (2008)

A guide for parents and educators offers advice on recognizing bullying behavior while making suggestions on how to appropriately discipline bullies, protect children, and formulate constructive school and community practices.

Caring for Your Teenager: The Complete & Authoritative Guide by the American Academy of Pediatrics by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Philip Bashe; editor-in-chief, Donald E. Greydanus (2003)

Offers guidelines and advice on helping teenagers cope with adolescence, including setting rules and limits, dealing with peer pressure, and finding the right college.

Growing Up On the Spectrum: a Guide to Life, Love, and Learning for Teens + Young Adults with Autism and Asperger's by Lynn Kern Koegel and Claire LaZebnik (2009)

A comprehensive resource for teens with autism provides strategies for a wide variety of concerns from managing adolescence and preparing for college to handling romantic relationships and achieving independence; in a guide that is complemented by tips from the co-author's autistic son.

Growing Up with Autism: Working with School-Age Children and Adolescents edited by Robin L. Gabriels, Dina E. Hill. (2007)

Individuals with autism and their caregivers face unique challenges in later childhood and adolescence, yet this period is often neglected in the professional literature. This unique volume translates current research on the needs of this population into practical recommendations for clinicians and educators. Featuring vivid case examples and an in-depth, reproducible assessment form, the book comprehensively addresses the many contexts of children's lives.

How to Parent with Your Ex: Working Together for Your Child's Best Interest Brette McWhorter Sember. (2005)

This manual is the only book designed for both residential and non-residential parents. Formatted and printed in a back-to-back manner, the book encourages both sides to understand the other's point of view, and so enables both parents to make the most of time spent with the children.

Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD by Peter S. Jensen. (2004)

Jensen (Columbia University) outlines 13 principles of action for the informed parent advocating on behalf of their child with ADHD, and suggests putting together a plan for accomplishing both short-term and long-term goals. He also offers advice on working with doctors, nurses, the insurance system, teachers, school counselors, the immediate family, friends, and relatives.

A Parent's Guide to the Middle School Years by Joe Bruzzese. (2009)

Today's text-messaging middle schoolers may seem like a different species from how parents remember themselves as sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. Children are often forced to confront serious issues like drugs, violence, sexuality, and technology at an age that would have been unthinkable even a decade ago. So it's natural for parents to worry about these crucial years. Still, educator Joe Bruzzese believes that this time can be full of positive transformation as your child gains independence and your parental role shifts from omnipresent manager to supportive coach. Timely topics include cyberbullying, depression, and choosing realistic and rewarding extracurricular activities.

Realizing the College Dream with Autism or Asperger Syndrome: a Parent's Guide to Student Success by Ann Palmer. (2006)

Palmer describes how parents can help children with autism or Asperger Syndrome attend college, using information learned from assisting her own son. She details his diagnosis and experiences in elementary through high school; how to decide to go to college; safety, health, and academic issues; self-help skills, time management, and orientation; adjustment; support services; self-awareness and self-disclosure; the benefits of college; and what to do after college.

Talkers, Watchers, and Doers: Unlocking Your Child's Unique Style by Cheri Fuller. (2004)

Your child has a unique way of learning. Do you know how to best help him or her learn and succeed? The practical suggestions and helpful tips in this book will help you create a learning environment at home that will help your child learn better and with more confidence.

What in the World Are Your Kids Doing Online by Barbara Melton, Susan Shankle. (2007)

Examines the physical, emotional, and intellectual hazards of the online universe--from predators and pornography to plagiarism, shortened attention spans, and illegal drug purchases--as well as what a parent can do to protect a child's safety while on the Web.

DVDs

Autism Is a World. (2004)

A documentary about Sue Rubin, who is autistic. Sue was diagnosed and treated as mentally retarded until the age of 13 when she began communicating using a keyboard. Now she is a junior in college.

Discipline: Teaching Limits With Love. (2005)

Setting limits is not punishment, but a loving way to teach a child how to control his or her own behavior. Included is information on: why a child actually looks for limits; techniques for setting effective limits from the start; why a firm but gentle approach is the most effective; managing your own emotions and avoiding physical punishment; why the limits children learn in their first few years build a foundation for the rest of their lives. Host, Dr. T. Berry Brazelton.

How To Do Homework Without Throwing Up. (2005)

Using humor, original music, and a fun cliffhanger storyline, this video provides practical, easy-to-understand lessons that teach kids of all ages simple ways to defeat the dreaded homework curse.

Kids & Attention Deficit Disorder: a Conversation with Edward Hallowell MD. (2002) (C/WMARS)

Dr. Peter Salgo interviews Edward M. Hallowell, MD and author of Driven to Distraction, about attention-deficit disorder. Dr. Hallowell introduces the viewer to "ADD Land" through children at the Shady Hill School and his own experiences with ADD.

Quality Child Care: Making the Right Choice for You &Your Child. ( 2005)

Includes information on why quality child care is important for your child's healthy development, what you should look for when choosing child care, questions to ask a potential caregiver, questions to ask yourself when looking at a child care setting, and important information to communicate to your caregiver. Host, Maria Shriver.

Ready to Learn. (2005)

There are many things parents and caregivers can do to help build a child's literacy skills from the time he is born. This video provides helpful information about: the importance of communicating with your newborn, establishing reading routines, materials that prepare your child for reading and writing, activities to spark your child's interest in learning, the importance of quality childcare, incorporating literacy into everyday activities. Hosted by Jamie Lee Curtis & LeVar Burton.

Why Early Childhood Matters. (2005)

Scientific research confirms that children's earliest experiences - starting even before they're born - dramatically affect their ability to succeed in school, and life. In this video, our country's leaders in government, business, crime prevention, and academia voice their commitment to our nation's youngest children and emphasize the crucial need for increased investments in early childhood. Hosted by Rob Reiner.

 

The Central Library Children's Room has a Parent/Teacher Resource area. As always, please ask a librarian for assistance!

9/09

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