Bridge the Achievement Gap

YOUR CHILD IS WATCHING TO SEE THIS:

How important their sense of well-being is to you. Your child may not be aware of this ongoing process, but this information is surely stored in their minds and used as they mature into adulthood. Following the five Tips listed below are product reviews, testimonials or product descriptions as resources for you.

Tip #1: That they have life-coping skills that can be called “useful” baggage.

Creative Coping Skills for Children: Emotional Support Through Arts and Crafts Activities This book hits the perfect balance between activities parents can use for their own kids with activities professional counselors and therapists can use with their child clients. One section reminded me The Womans Comfort Book, only for children. “A Pirate’s Survival Guide” really impressed me with its ability to provide children living with addiction, poverty and chaos a mental framework in which to better deal with those challenges. My favorite section was the pages and pages of boxed ideas for unstructured time that could bephotocopied, cut apart and rolled up/folded to be chosen at random by a child needing something to do. The ideas were so appealing, I felt like getting up and doing them myself as they were exactly the kind of fun I would have loved when I was little, though I wouldn’t have thought myself of doing them. There are plenty of ideas to help children w/ anxiety, grief, coping skills, goal setting, and transition times. In short, any parent or child therapist will find this book to be a resource they can turn to often.

Coping with Life Challenges Readers seeking ideas for improving their lives will find Coping with Life Challenges, 2/E highly accessible and empowering. Kleinke synthesizes a wealth of information that researchers have discovered about coping. First he introduces “coping” and defines important terms. Next is a discussion of specific challenges and the coping skills to deal with them. An additional two chapters are devoted to examining particular, personal experiences of people confronted with difficult issues, such as illness and injury. The final chapter discusses coping as a life philosophy that can lead to becoming a self-fulfilled, well-rounded person. Self-scoring assessment questionnaires throughout the book allow readers to assess their coping strengths and weaknesses. Learning to cope is not an inborn talent; it is a set of skills that can be developed–especially with the help of this book!

Tip #2: That you have demonstrated for them how and when they show love and respect for themselves.

How Anansi Learned Self-Esteem: 10 Original Stories for Building Self-Confidence and Self-Respect We are all beautiful and full of potential and we have the right to be happy! Does every child know that is true? Do you?

How Anansi Learned Self-Esteem is a collection of ten original stories written and illustrated in a delightful and entertaining way to make ideas about self-esteem available to young readers and listeners. Its purpose is to help those in its audience define themselves in ways that lead to lives full of possibilities motivated by joy rather than lives of limited choices motivated by fear.

These stories are meant to provide a forum for children and adults to talk about self-esteem. In this collection, Anansi the Spider learns through conversations with others and himself while on his journey. We can do the same. This book is one tool that can be used to help us develop something that is necessary for living successful lives, positive self-esteem.

Travel along with Anansi the Spider as he learns important lessons that help him to have confidence in and respect for himself. Perhaps those lessons will inspire you to have more confidence in and respect for yourself too!

Our possibilities are endless when we believe in each other and ourselves.

Empowering Teens to Build Self-Esteem Teenagers should really be introduced to the basic concepts of this book. The tools and knowledge will truly fortify them with inner power that they can really use for the rest of their lives. Adults who read this will wish they had this book when they were teenagers.

Written by an experienced educator, therapist, counselor who has worked with kids for a good deal of time, this book, with teenage readers in mind, is written with depth and at the same time with much practicality and clarity. It can speak to a teenager reader in a style that is straight and to the point on a very deep, intense topic.

Self-esteem is defined in the simplest clearest way for teenagers (and even for us thick-skinned adults):
“Self esteem is how you feel about yourself.”

Think Positively!: A course for developing coping skills in adolescents Using photocopiable and electronic resources, Erica Frydenberg provides teachers with strategies that will enable students to combat stress and depression in the classroom. Depression is being experienced in epidemic proportions in many Western societies, and there is great concern over the number of young people who are suffering, sometimes to the extent of committing suicide. This book aims to help prevent stress and depression by taking a positive approach to the promotion of health and well being in young people, giving them the skills to cope with the problems of everyday life at school and at home. Erica Frydenberg introduces the theory behind a cognitive behavioural approach to coping skills and offers a program of modules that teachers or other professionals can use with young people to train them in coping skills. The principle that underscores this program is that we can all do what we do better. If we do not like how we cope in certain contexts we can learn new strategies. It is possible to enhance and develop one’s coping if we have a framework within which to do that. The program is designed to have universal application and can be taught in any group or class setting. Nevertheless, instructors will be able to bring their own experience and adaptations to the sessions.

Tip #3: That you demonstrate for them ways to avoid toxic relationships:

*Persons who habitually placing blame for problems on others.

Stop Blaming, Start Loving!: A Solution-Oriented Approach to Improving Your Relationship This fresh, new approach to relationships goes beyond analyzing them to changing them, even if one partner isn’t interested. Using a solution-oriented approach, the authors show readers how to break free of old patterns in days or weeks–rather than months or years–improve their sex lives, get over past hurts, and more. “An excellent resource for anyone who wants to have a healthy relationship.”–Bernie Siegel, M.D.

A wonderful guide that gives every couple hope and direction. If you are a man or a woman who is tired of complaining and wants solutions, you’ve picked up the right book! (Ellen Kreidman, author of Light His Fire and Light Her Fire )

*Persons who monopolizing other peoples time and constantly seeking advice.

Do Not Interrupt: A Playful Take on the Art of Conversation In this erudite and playful primer on the art of conversation Stephen Kuusisto vigorously tackles the slippery subject of how to converse meaningfully with others. Kuusisto employs a wide range of personal anecdotes, classical texts, and an engaging style to illustrate his points. In seven short, provocative and imaginatively wrought chapters, he spins a compelling argument for the joys of “being connected,” and skillfully shows how to achieve this bond in everyday exchanges.

*People who interrupt other’s conversations, put-down others, reprimand older people, or make fun of people’s ideas in front of the group.

Simon’s Hook; A Story About Teases and Put-downs All children experience the taunts and teasings of other children. Karen Burnett is an elementary school counselor with more than 20 years experience and has written a wonderful picturebook story (charmingly illustrated by Laurie Barrows) that offers an intriguing, entertaining, and proven technique that kids can employ when feeling hurt or confused as a result of teasing by friends, peers or siblings. Simon’s Hook: A Story About Teases and Put-Downs helps children to recognize they have choices and through the use of a fishing analogy, Burnett shows them how to “swim free” of feeling helpless, trapped, stuck, or powerless and able only to hit back or run away. Simon’s Hook is recommended reading for boys and girls ages 6 and up, and a “must” for all school and public library collections. — Midwest Book Review, October 1999

*Argumentative persons; who wants to be right, and do not appear to respect the opinions of other people.

Overcoming Anger in Your Relationship: How to Break the Cycle of Arguments, Put-Downs, and Stony Silences Has your relationship become a battlefield? Does your partner’s sarcasm, irritability, or hostility make you wonder where the closeness and trust have gone—and how much more you can take? If anger is poisoning your relationship, this book offers a powerful antidote. Anger expert W. Robert Nay provides clear-cut, practical techniques for responding productively to inappropriate expressions of anger. Learn how anger gains a foothold in a couple’s life, why your usual responses may unwittingly reward bad behavior, and how to stand up for yourself in ways that promote lasting change. Self-quizzes and step-by-step suggestions for dealing with different types of angry behavior are illustrated with true-to-life examples. Grounded in psychological science, the strategies in this book are simple yet surprisingly effective. Try them for yourself—and for the person you love.

*Acquaintances who talk about people behind their backs.

Stop The Gossiping: If You Knew Where Gossip Stemmed From…You Would Stop The Gossiping Mia F. Stubbs shares her experience of gossip, and how it affected her life. She shares how gossip is a disease that most overlook. Her personal experience with gossip has given her the gift of sharing to many, her expressions of thoughts in writing. She points out how most people do not communicate what they feel verbally due to their inner silence. Through sharing her personal life experiences of gossip, it will result in being a warning or a comfort to another. She shares how a lot of the times, people do not share their pain with others, due to their feelings of being embarrassed, feelings that no one would understand, or the feelings of being judged. Not sharing your experiences can prevent the growth of another. In writing “Stop the Gossiping” book, it has been the bandages for her open wounds inflicted by others through gossip! Her openness in her book about gossip has opened a pathway of healing that has been long overdue and has given her the victory over her inner silence.

 YOUR CHILD IS WATCHING TO SEE THIS:

 How important their destiny is to you. Your child may not be aware of this ongoing process, but this information is surely stored in their minds and used as they mature into adulthood. Following the five Tips listed below are product reviews, testimonials or product descriptions as resources for you.

  Tip #1: How you accept and are proud of whom you are. They also see how well you respect your own principles. 

  Your Child: It’s Up To You! Respect Principles Applied Toddler to Teen, is an insightful and straightforward resource for parents seeking a positive and achievable plan for raising their boys and girls. This book motivates and empowers parents by weaving a keen understanding of the challenges facing modern-day families with proactive strategies and practical applications.

 A family’s blueprint is defined by, and typically only as good as the underlying principle it is founded on. Respect, defined as the act or attitude of attributing worth to another, serves as the essential property in healthy parent-child relationships or in any human relationship. Children whose parents have implemented respect in their relationship are better equipped to face challenges common to their developmental stage and unique to their life context.

  Tip #2: How you behave in situations they unknowingly found themselves. You show them how to eliminate negative behaviors to replace them with productive ones.

 Promoting Positive Behavior: Guidance Strategies for Early Childhood Settings  Written in an informal, accessible style, this practical book equips future teaching professionals to effectively support emotional well-being, reduce problem behavior, and enhance social competence in toddlers, pre-schoolers, and primary-grade children. Based on the ECE-CARES Project, housed at the University of Colorado at Denver, text-advocated strategies are focused on five fundamental constructions: caring and cooperative early childhood settings, assertiveness through self-esteem and mastery, relationship skills, emotional regulation and reactivity, and self-control. The authors make use of numerous real-life examples to show how these strategies result in high rates of prosocial skills, positive peer interactions, and use of peaceful conflict resolution techniques.

 Tip #3: Teach them the universally accepted law of mankind. Children are more likely to turn out well in life when parents plant good seeds in their children and instill good values in them.

 Jesus’ Family Values This is a must read for any person who takes seriously the call to follow Jesus, without sacrificing one’s authentic personhood. After reading her book, I conclude that “real” family values reflects a radical commitment to family and neighbor. Conceivably diverse constellations of families, immediate and extended, are called to reflect God’s cosmic, universal, kingdom values. True family values nuance as families continue to live out Kingdom values in a diverse and changing understanding of family and neighbor. As an Episcopal priest, I believe Jesus’ family values will ever challenge racism, sexism, homophobia, and hate wherever it is found.

 Tip #4: Let your children see you sharing love and affection with your spouse. When you and your spouse have a conflict, show your children how two people can make up. Your children’s best opportunity is to live with parents who demonstrate true love for each other.

  Conspiracy of Kindness: Revised and Updated A Unique Approach to Sharing the Love of Jesus . God is seeking to enter the heart of every person on this planet. Yet, for those who are not gifted evangelists, the task of communicating the Gospel can seem daunting. What if there was another way? There is, and it’s called the conspiracy of kindness. Operating on a simple premise, this exciting form of servant evangelism enables every follower of Christ, from brand-new to mature believer, to become an effective evangelist through unassuming acts of kindness.  In this book, Steve Sjogren offers a proven vision, simple strategy and real-life stories that show the amazing impact servant evangelism has had throughout the world. Here’s how to communicate the love of God more persuasively through actions than with words. Learn how churches, groups and individuals have used washing windows, cleaning toilets, handing out sodas and more to impact their communities with the life-changing love of Christ. Although a simple premise, the conspiracy of kindness principle affects both those serving and those being served.  Are you ready to roll up your sleeves? 

  Tip # 5: Your children know who you are behind closed doors. Let them see integrity in you. They know the real you. If, away fthen yell rom home, you show the world a smiling cheerful and happy face and at your family all week, whatever you say about kindness and caring won’t count in your children’s eyes.

    The Power of Integrity: Building a Life Without Compromise Drawing from scriptural examples of godly men who modeled integrity during severe testing, Dr. John F MacArthur, Jr, makes a compelling case for the impact a man or woman of integrity can have in our world.

 Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories The title of this resource sounds stuffier than it is. The authors’ philosophy seems to be one of “less is more” — making the case, in an interesting and literate foreword and five introductory chapters, that books can be useful and even important resources for trying to help your child figure out what makes life interesting. These books can help provide role models, teach empathy, and transport the reader to a different world or state of mind. The authors de-emphasize problem novels for young adults, which they feel teach self-acceptance rather than improvement and whose authors often sacrifice story for message, opting instead for the mythic, transportive style. I’ve read a lot of children’s literature and still found a number of new and interesting titles here.

Go ahead and leave the world that continually ranks your child as a poor learner and step into a brighter world in which your child radiates the warmth and happiness of high academic achievement. This is the place in the wide information universe for you to find what the Voices all know are free gifts to all healthy minded children. The first gift is you. This will be the center of communication for everyone that needs to maximize their gifts.