Twenty-six early childhood experts combine their wisdom and experience to help parents, teachers, and caregivers guide young children to a strong, enduring sense of self-esteem and competence. Its eight sections (38 chapters) deal encouraging a positive view of self; understanding and expressing feelings; encouraging positive views of family; making and keeping friends, and treating others with care and consideration. Each section ends with an annotated resource list for adults and children.

Betty, Ed Farber

Farber, Betty

Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse

United States, United States of America

Cutchogue, N.Y, c2000

March 1, 2000

Includes bibliographical references
section 1. Encouraging young children's positive views of self. A celebration of self ; Encouraging your child's positive concept ; The best gift you can give your child ; Falling in love with your kids ; How children gain confidence ; Talking about your children in front of them ; The building blocks for self-esteem ; Resources for section 1 -- section 2. Being an individual : Understanding differences in temperament ; Observing: a major way of knowing your child ; Resources for section 2 -- section 3. Growth and development : Making sense of developmental milestones ; Helping young children achieve a sense of competence ; Answering preschoolers' questions about pregnancy, birth, and how their bodies work ; Helping youngsters reach their potential ; Gender considerations in early childhood: how parents' expectations influence their sons and daughters ; Resources for section 3 -- section 4. Balancing activities and relaxation : Should you enroll your preschooler in "extracurricular activities? ; Making relaxation part of children's lives ; Resources for section 4 -- section 5. Feelings : Understanding feelings ; A recipe for growing happy children ; The joy in your preschooler's life ; Encouraging hope in young children ; Resources for section 5 -- section 6. Encouraging young children's positive views of family : The importance of family rituals and traditions ; Preschooler's pride in heritage ; A new baby in the family ; Building sibling friendships ; Encouraging harmony among brothers and sisters ; Involved fatherhood ; Fathers and childcare: let dad do it his way ; Grandparents give children roots ; Children and pets: a natural combination ; What'll we do now? Activities to do together ; Resources for section 6 -- 7. Encouraging young children's positive views of friends : Children's friendships ; Getting along with other children ; Helping preschoolers learn social skills ; Learning to play together ; Encouraging cooperation through games and activities ; Resources for section 7 -- section 8. Caring and consideration for others : How children learn to care ; Teaching children civility: treating others with care and consideration ; Snakes never slurp their soup ; Resources for section 8

Based on the assumption that a belief in one's worth and competence will encourage children's achievement and protect against failure, this book for parents presents guidelines and activities for helping to guide children to a strong, enduring sense of self-esteem and competence. Section 1 describes the building blocks of self-esteem, focusing on ways to encourage young children's positive view of themselves. Section 2 highlights children as individuals, discussing the role of temperament and the importance of observation for understanding children. Section 3 presents information on growth and development, including developmental milestones, competence, answering children's questions about pregnancy and related topics, and gender considerations and parental expectations. Section 4 deals with balancing activities and relaxation for young children. Section 5 concerns feelings and presents activities for identifying emotions and for helping children experience happiness, joy, and hope. Section 6 lists activities for encouraging young children's positive views of family through family rituals and traditions, pride in heritage, harmonious family relationships, and caring for pets. Section 7 presents activities for encouraging positive views of friends and incorporates activities for building social skills and cooperation. Section 8 deals with caring and consideration for others and contains activities for teaching civility and manners. Each section lists resources for adults and for children. (KB)

"Twenty-six early childhood experts combine their wisdom and experience to help you guide your child to a strong, enduring sense of self-esteem and competence....Not only is there background and theory, the how and why of children's development, there are also ways to put this knowledge into action with practical down-to-earth suggestions and ideas. Even more, each section offers information on books and resource materials for you and your child. Perhaps it should be called, How to become a wiser and more confident parent."

2023-06-28