Each one of us learns in a different way. Traditional teaching approaches don't always suit the variety of different ways people learn-a conflict that can damage confidence and sometimes lead to failure. The key question that faces parents and teachers is how to help those who learn differently find long term success. In Small Steps, Big Differences: A Toolkit for Parents of Children Who Fall through the Cracks, author Hilary Craig challenges this question and offers parents strategies to help. The resources provided within this toolkit are framed around the core belief that all children can make progress, even if traditional learning and teaching methods in the classroom are inadequate for the way they learn. This toolkit provides support to those parents who recognize the unique abilities and talents in their children and who want practical tools to enable them to learn and succeed. Hilary Craig's experience, insight and strategies for helping children learn effectively, provide a valuable resource to accompany classroom learning. In this toolkit, she also addresses the four essential skills for effective learning: memory, listening, attention, and social skills; and strategies to develop each of these, with the final goal to build confidence. Small Steps, Big Differences is an invaluable resource for parents to help their children increase their chances for learning success.

Praise for Prodigal Sons & Material Girls

"Nathan Dungan’s book is for every parent, regardless of wealth or status–it will be the go-to book for a good long time. Its messages about money and values are timeless, and right on time."
–Harvey MacKay
Bestselling author of Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive
and Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty, among other titles

"For harassed parents and manipulated children, Nathan Dungan’s book provides a powerful protective shield. I especially appreciated his ‘Share-Save-Spend’ approach, with its emphasis on teaching children the importance of sharing with those less fortunate. It’s a lesson that can help all of us, not only our children, live within our means and make the world a better place."
–John de Graaf
coauthor, Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic
coproducer of the PBS Affluenza series

"Nathan Dungan has written a gem. He explains in a clear and engaging way how Madison Avenue has our kids in their cross hairs. What’s even better though is that he gives sound and practical advice about what we can do about it. I urge everyone who cares about kids to read this book."
–David Walsh, PhD
President, National Institute on Media and the Family

"Nathan Dungan exposes the culture of spending that victimizes our children and young people. Nathan helps us learn to lead the young people we care about toward more satisfying values and behaviors. Parents, grandparents, and mentors to the next generation will find this book a must."
–Rev. Loren B. Mead
Founding President, The Alban Institute

"Prodigal Sons and Material Girls is a wake-up call to one of the biggest problems facing kids today: the inability to deal responsibly with money. Mr. Dungan’s practical advice is to reorder our financial priorities . . . to share first, save next, and spend later . . . and then to pass these values on to our children. Only by doing so will we successfully defeat the three-headed monster of consumer products companies, media conglomerates, and advertising agencies."
–Bruce Nicholson
President and CEO, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

A portion of the author’s proceeds will be donated to charitable causes.

As women continue to bear children, all parents should ask the following question: How can a woman fulfill her unique responsibility as mother to her child when prevailing parenting practices deny the importance of breastfeeding and maternal care?

Maternal care is now thought to be impractical and a luxury for those who can afford it. Thus, many women need to defend their right and responsibility to care for even the youngest of babies.

Dr. Kawasaki, a pediatrician and stay-at-home mother of two, asserts in "Mothering with Breastfeeding and Maternal Care" that current attitudes toward mothering have not evolved naturally. Over the course of a century, child-rearing experts, sociologists, and feminists have made systematic efforts to undermine the importance of a woman's role in the home.

Dr. Kawasaki offers compelling reasons for parents to think seriously about the unique role women play in their children's lives, particularly in early childhood. She argues that the priceless benefits of breastfeeding and hands-on maternal care help to ensure the optimal growth and development of young babies and children.

When we found out we were pregnant, we were ecstatic. After what seemed to be progressing as a normal pregnancy, crisis ensued. Being new parents to a micro-preemie, we searched libraries and had difficulty finding personal stories we could look to for inspiration. After fielding multiple calls from the hospital and our doctors' offices, we decided to share our NICU journey and experiences with families who find themselves in a similar situation.

Adolescence can be a challenging period under normal circumstances, but for five troubled boys, 1963 is a particularly difficult year. As social worker Airdrie Thompson-Guppy and her family settle in Waterloo, Ontario, Airdrie's life is about to dramatically change when those five boys are placed in her home by the Children's Aid Society.

One by one, the boys cautiously move into the home Airdrie shares with her husband and one-year-old daughter. Lefty is the unwitting victim of his father's anger. Bob has endured constant abuse from his alcoholic parents. Johnny struggles academically, is fatherless and is clearly troubled. Val sports an impish grin and is quick to argue. Dan is a cheery lad who is easily led by others. As Airdrie shares how she cared for the boys despite their inner turmoil and troubled backgrounds, she provides an eye-opening glimpse into one family form that focuses on rescuing and protecting children from the atrocities of a dysfunctional life.

"Airdrie's Boys" is a poignant story for anyone who cares about children; for families who need to know that lives can change and mend; and for all those who dedicate their professional lives to helping children discover a better life.