The central theme of this book is that parents should be directly involved in structuring their children's out-of-school time. Out-of-school or "free time" offers great opportunities for children to learn from new experiences and to develop, through carefully selected activities, a sense of competence, self-esteem, and achievement. Focus is on the developmental needs of middle childhood, when children are six to twelve years old, and real-life examples and everyday language are used to direct a parent toward understanding and developing his child's interests. Specifically presented are the following chapter titles: "A Child's Life Out of School"; "Parents' Roles and Special Insights" (appeals to parents to trust themselves and express their convictions to their children);"Resources--What Are the Options?" (gives detailed information on searching for resources for activities); "Fostering Independence, or the Other Three R's: Resourcefulness, Responsibility, and Reliability" (offers a view of the child as member of a family); "Protecting Children's Safety" (starts with home safety and moves into the neighborhood); and "Putting It All Together" (includes a section entitled "A False Start Is Not a Flop" for those who fear failure or are easily discouraged. Six appendices list child-serving organizations; resources for computers and children; books about television and children; and books and organizations with information on safety, first aid, and health. (DST)