I have created these user friendly checklists in 5 areas of child development: Thinking, Language, Social, Moral & Physical. These checklists are an accumulation of a decade of my teaching experience, graduate level Child Psychology coursework, my interaction with Early Intervention services and raising three boys. These checklists will guide you to track your child's development & identify possible delays. DID YOU KNOW THAT... there are 5 main areas of child development: Thinking, Social, Moral, Language and Physical? each of the 5 main areas continues to develop from birth through adulthood? every state has Early Intervention (EI) Services that can help your child if he or she has significant delays? EI evaluations are free? Just call your state EI Service Center. A list of EI numbers referenced by state are in the index of this book. this book was made to help you determine whether or not to make that call?This book will help you track development and identify potential delays. In a busy world of checklists, not chapters, this is the easy-read, go-to-guide, for monitoring Child Development.

Told from the perspective of mothers who've lived it, Difficult focuses on mothering challenging adult children. Difficult brings to life the conflicts that arise for mothers who are confronted with the unexpected, burdensome, and even catastrophic dependencies of their adult children associated with mental illness, substance use, or chronic unemployment. Through real stories of mothers and their challenging adult children, this book offers readable, provocative, and, at times, shocking illustrations of the excruciating maternal dilemma: Which takes precedence--the needs of the mother or of the distressed adult child? Difficult addresses a family situation which too many keep secret. The book allows readers to see that they are not alone. It includes resources for getting help: finding social support, staying safe, engaging in self-care, and helping the adult child. Judith Smith speaks empathically to parents, acknowledging and illuminating the embarrassment, shame, and helplessness that women can feel when their adult children's problems puncture their own feelings of self-worth. In the absence of sufficient supports and affordable housing for persons with mental illness or substance misuse disorder, mothers feel that they have no choice - "if not me, then who?" Unpaid and unrecognized maternal caregiving work continues to limit women's quality of life, even, into their later years. Smith addresses this as a societal issue which requires structural solutions. Difficult is for parents, concerned family and friends, health and mental health professionals, and policy makers. The book provides resources for women to find social support, stay safe, and engage in self-care.

The Godmother of Silicon Valley, legendary teacher, and mother of a Super Family shares her tried-and-tested methods for raising happy, healthy, successful children using Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness: TRICK.

Esther Wojcicki--"Woj" to her many friends and admirers--is famous for three things: teaching a high school class that has changed the lives of thousands of kids, inspiring Silicon Valley legends like Steve Jobs, and raising three daughters who have each become famously successful. What do these three accomplishments have in common? They're the result of TRICK, Woj's secret to raising successful people: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness. Simple lessons, but the results are radical.

Wojcicki's methods are the opposite of helicopter parenting. As we face an epidemic of parental anxiety, Woj is here to say: relax. Talk to infants as if they are adults. Allow teenagers to pick projects that relate to the real world and their own passions, and let them figure out how to complete them. Above all, let your child lead. How to Raise Successful People offers essential lessons for raising, educating, and managing people to their highest potential. Change your parenting, change the world.

If you can read a map for traveling from Point A to Point B, then, here is a practical step-by-step manual detailing a method anyone can learn to use for coaching someone to change behaviors, or help them improve their self-esteem. The author has managed to mix the best tools of Esteem Therapy and Reality Therapy with the unique concept of "Behavior Mapping" in a very easy-to-understand way that anyone capable of coaching can immediately use. Detailed examples of how to use this method are given using case studies from working with normal families having children with very common problem behaviors. To underscore the significance of this method, an appendix is included with the results of a 3-year substance abuse treatment program conducted using the general techniques described in the book, while under contract with the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. The success rates for both general recovery and improved self-esteem, etc. for the 108 cases was considered remarkable. While this book was written specifically for the lay person, those working in institutional settings, or child care of any kind can apply much of the knowledge presented here. Professionals certainly may benefit from the information included in the appendix.

After establishing in the introduction that language skills are important for school success and that input matters, Talk Me Into It answers the question: How can we provide the best stimulation possible for language development to occur? Using her more than twenty-five years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and early childhood educator, the author informs and assists readers in making the most of their interactions with their young children. The book is 240 pages and contains twelve illustrations. Talk Me Into It is divided into three sections. The first section, Learning to Talk, covers specific features of both listening and speaking, that are expected to appear at various stages. Each stage is described in terms of typical behavior, and what can be done to enhance development at that particular stage. The second section, entitled Talking Together, explains general principles and specific strategies that parents can use when talking with their children. It also discusses important differences between activities. The third section, Talking to Learn, provides specific ways to help prepare a child for success as a participant in a classroom, and addresses readiness skills necessary for learning to read and write. The final chapter presents the latest research on dyslexia, identify early warning signs of a language-based learning disability and offers information about where to find advice and help. An appendix of language activities appropriate for preschoolers is followed by a second appendix of resources and organizations with web site addresses. Talk Me Into It offers: I.Top Ten lists of activities for each of five age levels (birth through age six) II.An 'Ask Dr.Susan" feature in which questions commonly asked by parents will be addressed III.A down-to-earth practical guide to language development for the lay public IV.Self-Check exercises that parents and caregivers can use to increase their understanding and awareness of how they interact with their child Who This Book Is For: *Parents, *Day Care Providers *Grandparents *Babysitters and Nannies * Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers *Entry level practitioners in: * speech-language pathology *occupational therapy *special and early childhood education Readers of this book will learn: *Which language, motor and play behaviors to expect at different ages *Ways of interacting with children that will stimulate language growth *How language skills are critical to reading readiness and early school success *Fun activities used by a speech-language pathologist to help develop language skills *When it might be wise to consult a speech-language pathologist, and where to get help Table of Contents: Part I: Learning to Talk 1. Infancy: Crying, Cooing, Babbling and First Words 2. Age One to Two: Walking and Talking 3. Age Two to Three: Learning How Words Go Together 4. Age Three to Five: Learning to Have Conversations 5. Age Five to Six: Getting Ready to Become Literate Part II: Talking Together 6. Conversational Strategies: three Ex's and a WHALE 7. So Glad You Asked: Asking Good Questions 8. Activity Matters Part III: Talking to Learn 9. Getting Ready for School: The Preschool Experience 10. Getting Ready to Read and Write: Not as Simple as ABC 11. Ready or Not: Here I Come Appendix A: Language Activities for Preschool (LAP) Appendix B: Resources, Books, Programs, Materials

From a Harvard faculty member and oral language specialist, an invaluable guide that gives readers evidence-based tools and techniques to communicate more effectively with children in ways that let them foster relationships with less conflict and more joy and kindness. Science has shown that the best way to help our kids become independent, confident, kind, empathetic, and happy is by talking with them. Yet, so often, parents, educators, and caregivers have trouble communicating with kids. Conversations can feel trivial or strained-or worse, are marked by constant conflict. In The Art of Talking with Children, Rebecca Rolland, a Harvard faculty member, speech pathologist, and mother, arms adults with practical tools to help them have productive and meaningful conversations with children of all ages-whether it's engaging an obstinate toddler or getting the most monosyllabic adolescent to open up. The Art of Talking with Children shows us how quality communication-or rich talk-can help us build the skills and capacities children need to thrive.

Garth Callaghan doesn't know how long he has to live. But he can be certain of one simple thing: No matter his fate, his daughter, Emma, will find a handwritten note inside her lunchbox each day until she graduates from high school. Cancer has given Garth Callaghan a new purpose: to inspire parents to connect more with their children even in small ways, as he has done before and since his diagnosis by tucking a napkin note into his daughter's lunch every day. Every morning as he packs Emma's lunch, Garth adds a little surprise: a "napkin note"-a short, tender message to convey his love, encouragement, and pride. Garth began writing his napkin notes when Emma was in grade school, and as she grew up, his notes became more meaningful. Shortly after Emma turned twelve, Garth learned he had kidney cancer. Determined to make the time he has left meaningful, he has compiled years' worth of notes to get his daughter through her high school graduation. Now, in this moving book, a blend of inspiration and memoir, he makes his remarkable legacy available to all of us, to deepen our relationships with our own children and those we love. Garth introduces each chapter with a napkin note and then shares a story connected to it and to his life. In the vein of The Last Lecture, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Until I Say Good-bye, Napkin Notes is an inspiring tale of family, love, and wisdom. Beautifully written, tender, and wise, it is sure to warm the hearts and touch the souls of readers everywhere.

All across the country, in traditional public, public charter, and private schools, entrepreneurial educators are experimenting with the school day and school week. Hybrid Homeschools have students attend traditional classes in a brick-and-mortar school for some part of the week and homeschool for the rest of the week. Some do two days at home and three days at school, others the inverse, and still others split between four days at home or school and one day at the other. This book dives deep into hybrid homeschooling. It describes the history of hybrid homeschooling, the different types of hybrid homeschools operating around the country, and the policies that can both promote and thwart it. At the heart of the book are the stories of hybrid homeschoolers themselves. Based on numerous in-depth interviews, the book tells the story of hybrid homeschooling from both the family and educator perspective.

When Michelle Obama posed for her official portrait she was already breaking new ground as the first African American First Lady. But there was something else revolutionary - she wore a sleeveless dress. Michelle's arms are sleek, strong and toned, and all over the news. And now women want to emulate her. In Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy, celebrity trainer JJ Virgin offers simple workouts that only take twenty minutes, three times a week, and will sculpt your arms to perfection. With exercises that can be done in the comfort of your home and don't require expensive or hard-to-use equipment, JJ will give women sleek, toned arms while not turning them into the Incredible She-Hulk. And in addition, readers will learn how to attain better health and a more active lifestyle. After all, pumping weights isn't the only way to fit arms - it also requires healthy eating, de-stressing and knowledge of how your body works. JJ knows what it's like to be a woman wary of exposing her arms. She has seen women break down in tears worrying about showing flab on their wedding day. She knows that arms can be signs of strength and power, but also of shame and regret. Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy has attitude, charm and a can-do spirit that will give you the right to bare arms!

Your struggling teenager is going to a residential or wilderness treatment program. Their addictions, learning disabilities, or emotional/behavioral issues have brought you to a moment of decision. Heartsick, anxious, and exhausted, questions bounce endlessly around your mind, "Will this work? Was this really necessary? Will she ever forgive me? Can we handle him at home when the time comes?"
Dr. Tim Thayne delivers the answers in his groundbreaking book Not by Chance. As an owner/therapist of wilderness and residential programs, Thayne was frustrated when young people made monumental progress, only to return home where things quickly unraveled. His mission became to vastly improve long-term success by crafting and proving a model to coach parents on their power to lead out through full engagement during treatment and management of the transition home.
Not by Chance engages readers through solid research, simple exercises, and captivating stories taken from Thayne's own life and the living rooms of hundreds of American homes. This book serves up concrete tools, hope, confidence, and stamina for families, professionals and mentors.
Topics include:
- Why good programs work
- How to boost--not undermine--treatment
- Nine dangers waiting after discharge
- How to identify natural mentors for your teen
- What to do when the testing begins
- When and how to grant back privileges and freedoms
- How to ease your young adult's transition from treatment to independent living
- When you know you've succeeded
If you are even considering out-of-home treatment for your teen, do not gamble with the outcomes. Not by Chance should claim its rightful place on your nightstand.
www.notbychance.com

Today, too many men are becoming sideline players in their position as fathers. How does the family survive without the authority and structure of fathers? Today, the reality of family leadership is at best a clich