The normal developmental challenges experienced during early childhood as well as more significant emotional and behavioral problems require that parents and caregivers communicate effectively. The manner in which parents and caregivers communicate with each other about children's behavior can have a significant and lasting impact on children,…

The long awaited blessings of having a child bring simultaneous bouts of confusion and uncertainty regarding the vast parenting responsibilities that come with raising that child. When the child has a disability, sometimes the tasks can seem especially daunting. In this article, the authors aim to guide parents of children who display challenging…

Private residential treatment programs for young people offer a range of services, including drug and alcohol treatment, confidence building, military-style discipline, and psychological counseling for a variety of addiction, behavioral, and emotional problems. Many of these programs are intended to provide a less-restrictive alternative to…

Fifteen suggestions for adults talking with children about the terrorist attacks include taking the time to listen, separating fact from fiction, stressing the senselessness of violence, recognizing the impact of their own reactions on children, and addressing religious and moral concerns. (DB)

Guidelines for helping children following a trauma or disaster address possible reactions in elementary, middle school, and high school students; possible reactions in teachers; guidelines for teachers of either high school, middle school, or elementary school students; and guidelines for parents of elementary, middle, or high school students. (DB)

Being a parent is exhausting work, even when children do not have emotional problems. All parents need information, encouragement, training, and support to raise healthy children. No one is born with all the skills necessary to handle every problem, yet too often, when parents do ask for help for their children, they are turned down until the…

This pamphlet offers practical guidance to parents of young children who have experienced the death of a close relative or other loved one. It is intended to explain the child's emotional needs and assist the parent in planning for the child's involvement in the various stages of the death-funeral-mourning process. The text is presented as answers…

The effects of differing attitudes toward money on family life are discussed using a sample case from family counseling services. (DB)

The role of school-related stress in the life of the disabled child is examined, and parents and teachers are given suggestions to reduce stress and help the child cope. Stress is defined as the emotional and physical reaction to the pressures that society places upon the child to conform and live up to expectations. Among sources of stress are…

This Spanish language booklet is written for parents who are concerned about the speech of their young child. The goal of the booklet is to enable parents to begin working with their child, and a speech clinician if necessary, with a better understanding of the problem. The booklet discusses common parental questions such as: (1) Does my child…

This booklet is written for French speaking parents who have young children than may stutter. The goal of the booklet is to enable parents to begin working with their child, and a speech clinician if necessary, with a better understanding of the problem. The booklet is designed to answer to common parental questions such as: (1) Does my child…

In a family with an 18-year-old mentally retarded son who had trouble finding and keeping a job, counseling helped the father to set reasonable expectations for his son, the mother to reserve criticism until an appropriate time, and the son to be more responsible for his vocational training and job hunting. (CB)

Schools can be the optimal place for the coordination of the efforts of educators, families and mental health professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and supportive environment. Mental health services are an important resource that schools provide to help students benefit from education. By removing social/emotional…

Parents can help foster their children's success as readers by reading to them as much as possible. This paper, four of four on literature and the young child, discusses two ways that parents can help, stating that: reading to the child helps him or her develop and appreciate humor; and reading to the child helps him or her cope with uncomfortable…

This booklet is written for parents who are concerned about the speech of their young child. The goal of the booklet is to enable parents to begin working with their child, and a speech clinician if necessary, with a better understanding of the problem. The booklet contains answers to common parental questions such as: (1) Does my child stutter?…