Parenting and Children's Education

Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education by Susan Wise Bauer offers a different perspective on the state of our educational system. Our K–12 school system is an artificial product of market forces. It isn’t a good fit for all—or even most—students. It prioritizes a single way of understanding the world over all others, pushes children into a rigid set of grades with little regard for individual maturity, and slaps “disability” labels over differences in learning style. In five illuminating sections, Bauer teaches parents how to flex the K–12 system, rather than the child. She closely analyzes the traditional school structure, gives trenchant criticisms of its weaknesses, and offers a wealth of advice for parents of children whose difficulties may stem from struggling with learning differences, maturity differences, toxic classroom environments, and even from giftedness.  Rethinking School is a guide to one aspect of sane, humane parenting: negotiating the twelve-grade school system in a way that nurtures and protects your child’s mind, emotions, and spirit. (from Goodreads.com)

In The Good News About Bad Behavior, author Katherine Reynolds Lewis tries to answer the question: Why don't our kids do what we want them to do? Parents often take the blame for misbehavior, but this obscures a broader trend: in our modern, highly connected age, children have less self-control than ever. About half of the current generation of children will develop a mood or behavioral disorder or a substance addiction by age eighteen. Contemporary kids need to learn independence and responsibility, yet our old ideas of punishments and rewards are preventing this from happening. To stem this growing crisis of self-regulation, journalist and parenting expert Katherine Reynolds Lewis articulates what she calls The Apprenticeship Model, a new theory of discipline that centers on learning the art of self-control. Blending new scientific research and powerful individual stories of change, Lewis shows that, if we trust our children to face consequences, they will learn to adapt and moderate their own behavior. She watches as chaotic homes become peaceful, bewildered teachers see progress, and her own family grows and evolves these new ideas. You'll recognize your own family in Lewis's sensitive, realistic stories, and you'll find a path to making everyone in your home more capable, kinder, and happier--including yourself. (from Goodreads.com)

Angela C. Santomero, MA, the award-winning creator of children’s television phenomena Blue’s Clues, Super Why!, and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood knows that the preschool years—when children are between the ages of two and five—are the most influential, important years in a child’s life. In Preschool Clues, she breaks down the philosophy behind her shows—educating, inspiring, and empowering kids—into concrete strategies that parents and educators can incorporate into their family and classroom to set their preschoolers up for success, such as:

-Intentionally pausing to foster bonding, independence, and resilience

-Developing empathy and confidence through soliciting preschoolers’ help

-Becoming “fluent” in the language of preschoolers: Play

-Igniting your preschooler’s curiosity

-Being an involved co-player everyday

-Designing a healthy media diet

In Preschool Clues, Angela shares the latest research from top thinkers in child development and education. Through her practical, straightforward advice and inspiring, conversational approach, you will not only understand exactly what your children are learning from the shows they watch and why these shows are so effective, you’ll know exactly how to apply these same proven approaches in your daily life and with the same powerful results. (from Goodreads.com)

Feed the Baby Hummus teaches parents to confidently incorporate various multicultural practices into their own care taking plan. Pediatrician Lisa Lewis offers the wisdom and proven care taking practices of the cultures of the world, drawn from her own training, research, travel, and clinical experience. Although certain standards of care must exist for babies to thrive and be happy, Feed the Baby Hummus offers a variety of cross-cultural parenting information and baby care guidance from a trusted source. Parenting practices vary widely between countries and cultures. For example, in countries such as the Philippines, breastfeeding after age one year is common, and parents can make their own decision about what is right for their family. In Korea, babies eat a variety of spices and flavors, helping them develop a diverse palate and healthy eating habits. And in Italy, parents prevent separation anxiety by taking their babies to markets, restaurants, and churches and passing them around from person to person. (from Goodreads.com)

Caring for Autism: Practical Advice from a Parent and Physician delves into all these questions and more. As the father of a daughter with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and as a trained psychiatrist who specializes in ASD, Dr. Michael A. Ellis provides a holistic view of what comes after diagnosis. In user-friendly tones, he answers the most commonly asked questions about what it's like to live with ASD, what medications and therapies are available, and the global impact it has on the child's environment. With the help of his wife, Lori Layton Ellis, to provide a mother's perspective, Dr. Ellis shares personal stories of their 10-year journey to provide insight and support for anyone - patient, parent, caregiver - traversing the difficulties of autism and helping parent to answer questions like: What does it mean to be on the autism spectrum? How will this affect your child's life, your life, the life of your family, and others you interact with? What sorts of medications, therapies, and alternative methods are used to help manage the disorder? What are the financial and legal ramifications? How will this affect schooling, your spiritual growth, and everyday life? (from Goodreads.com)

The 9th edition of NOLO’s The Complete IEP Guide: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child covers two new Supreme Court decisions and developments in special-ed voucher programs. It provides key forms, sample letters, and resources you need at every stage of the IEP process. With it, you can make sure your child gets a good education. Federal law guarantees every child a free appropriate education, and the goal of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) is to assure that every child with special needs receives what the law promises. But if you have a special-ed child, you know that your family must make sure the school follows through. This powerful book covers: 

-eligibility rules and assessments
-working with outside experts
-developing your child's ideal educational program
-preparing for and attending IEP meetings
-resolving disputes with school districts.