In plain language, these six ready-to-copy briefs state what researchers and practitioners have learned about various ways parents can help their children do well in school. "Calculating the Risks: When Should Parents Add or Subtract?" discusses the normal risks of life, the intensification of risk by poverty, and how parents can keep children safe and help them to exercise good judgment. "The Hoopla about Thinking and Creativity" defines creative and critical thinking and discusses ways that parents can encourage both. "The Courage Required of Adolescents" examines the main tasks of adolescent development. "Practical Morals for Parents and Teens in the Age of AIDS" discusses responsible sexual behavior and moral values. "Playing for Keeps: Imagination and Young Children" explains the importance of play both for child development and for learning to use the power of imagination into adulthood. "What Did You Expect?" examines potential positive and negative outcomes of teacher expectations of students. (SV)