| 'As a parent,
how many times have you wished you had an instruction manual to hand when
you're dealing with a difficult moment? Parenting can be a tricky business,
but three new guides from QEd Publishing aim to help you manage your child's
behaviour in a positive and effective way. The guides focus on three age
groups, 4-8, 8-12 and 13-16, with the emphasis on building children's
self-esteem, developing good communication, setting boundaries and dealing
with arguments. The third book, Managing your 13-16 year-old, tackles
the teenage years when parental skills are often tested to the limit.' Reviewed in the PTA (Parent and Teachers Association) magazine, 2002 Back to Books Back to Sure Start section ------------------------------------------------- Managing your 8-12 year-old ‘This book is a user-friendly guide intended to support those looking for advice on how to manage their child ... The books (there are three covering three different age groups) are short and the text is well-spaced with occasional line drawings to emphasise points. They cover areas such as improving a child's self-esteem, communication, making rules and setting boundaries, rewards, sanctions and dealing with arguments. The advice given is flexible and practical and strategies suggested allow choice in response, providing a framework for parents who are often given conflicting messages on how to react to their child. These books would provide a useful scaffold to discussion in a child and family support setting and are good value at £2.95 each.' Reviewed in SATIPS (2002) ------------------------------------------------ Managing your 8-12 year-old; Managing your 13-16 year-old 'The structure of both books is similar but differentiated so they are age appropriate. For example, the 8-12 year-old one has chapters on: Ways to improve your child's self-esteem; Making rules and setting boundaries; Communicating well with your child; Working out rewards; Thinking through punishments and sanctions; and Dealing with arguments. The 13-16 book also looks at managing conflict, supporting independence and 'negotiating with your teenager'. Each of the chapters is packed with sound, practical advice. The tone is reassuring and positive with touches of humour. The examples included in the text are recognisable by the parents from their own experiences. Most chapters include a humorous drawing, discussion of which might be a good starting point. The reactions of teachers to these books have been interesting. Several have said, 'I wouldn't mind reading that - it might help me.' They clearly struck a chord with them personally. If pressed about how they might use them with parents of children they teach, the reactions were less certain. There are concerns about how these books could be presented to the parents sensitively. It may be possible to find ways to do this in some circumstances. Even where it is impossible, the books provide a valuable aide-memoire to the staff. Reviewed in Special! Magazine (Summer, 2002) ------------------------------------------------ Managing your 13-16 year-old 'Booklet developed as part of the "Breaking the Cycle" training given by Stockton-on_tees Educational Psychology Service and SENSS. Provides a practical guide for the difficult teenage years on building self-esteem; the value of good communication; on managing conflict; and negotiating with a teenager.' ACE Bulletin (October, 2002)
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