"Family Computing" magazine's Critics Choice Awards for Educational Software Excellence are presented annually. The 35 software programs selected in June of 1986 are listed. (MT)

There is no "psychologically correct" or "right" way to handle every situation or behavior in family life. Parents need to trust their own solutions. (MT)

Techniques for helping children deal effectively with change are reviewed. (MT)

Some effects that television viewing has had on children are described, and ways for parents to regain control of the television are suggested. (MT)

The presence of asbestos health hazards in the schools is particulary serious since children exposed to asbestos are more likely to develop cancer than adults similarly exposed. Health risks of asbestos, scope of the problem, and asbestos testing are discussed. (DF)

Children who tend to be obedient get accustomed to someone else making decisions for them, but children are far less likely to make poor choices in the future when they have been allowed to develop a self-concept of decision maker. Ways to provide options and alternatives to children are discussed. (MT)

Teenagers are the most likely age group to be victims of crime and the least likely to report crimes to the police. Parents, students, and teachers can work together to help prevent crime. (DF)

Because of the variety of summer activities, time for reading may be more limited than during the school year. Reading choices may also change. Summer reading selections for children from preschool to high school are discussed. (MT)

A daily or weekly academic journal kept by the student can help parents who want to involve themselves more actively in their child's schoolwork. Sample journals are included in this article in addition to several homework hints. (IAH)

Tips on helping children achieve independence are offered. (MT)

Peer Pressure Reversal, a way of teaching children to say no and still "save face" with their friends, is described. (MT)

Children can be taught to write clearly and thoughtfully. Ways in which parents can encourage writing at home are suggested. (MT)

Good literature stimulates thinking; evokes ideas, creates mental images, and engages the emotions. A classic is simply a literary work that has endured over time, has universal meaning, and explores the human condition. Classic books children enjoy are suggested. (MT)

Ideas are presented for parents in reducing their child's anxiety about school, including (1) talk with the child; (2) discuss how to relate to teachers; (3) suggest ways of making friends; (4) help children become organized; and (5) accept the child. (CB)

Factors which make a science program effective are discussed, including such skills as: observation; data collection; classification; inference; measurement; prediction; communication; relationships; hypothesis; and models. (CB)