Calls for innovation in education often focus on the need to prepare students for the future. Ensuring that we are supporting their empathy for others is an often overlooked, but critical, aspect of that preparation.

What is the motivation to fill each waking minute of the day with activities and events and to excel at everything? Are we trying to create the "superkid," defined as "a child pressured by parents and by society to do too much too soon?" Are parents overcompensating because they feel guilty about the time they spend working or away from home?…

Childhood obesity is epidemic in the United States and other industrialized countries across the globe. This trend is alarming, because childhood obesity is associated with the early onset of serious health problems, including Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, orthopedic problems, behavioral disorders, and asthma. Mounting evidence also…

For seven years, the author has been the parent of a wonderfully uniquely gifted little boy, who has taught her all about "exceptional" parenting. Her child, Adrian, is a "twice-exceptional" child who is both intellectually gifted and has special needs that negatively impact his development and learning. Initially, the contradictions of parenting…

Maintains that the priorities parents set for their children are influenced by the parents' own needs and ways in which those needs have been met, and that priorities set by parents may be inadequate for meeting their children's needs. Parents must work towards balancing priorities for children in such a way that both parents' and children's needs…

Discusses child rearing practices which can be learned from the Cosby Show. Consistently interwoven in the dialog each week are family guidelines related to self-esteem building, independence, trust, values, and humor. (RJC)

Discusses the importance of father's involvement in childcare for the child's success and presents guidelines for successful fathering. Notes the difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting. Suggest that fathers be a part of the child's day, show acceptance, use positive parenting, share parenting, and see fathering as worthwhile…

Supports the role of reflective parenting, but claims that reflective parenting is not easy to learn or do. Suggests "Reflection In Action," consistently assessing the current and future effects of parents' words and actions, and "Reflection On Action," considering whether parents' words and actions were the best ones under the…

Describes the Minnesota Early Childhood Family Education Program, which is designed to offer support and information for all parents and their children from birth to kindergarten-enrollment age, and to provide a good early childhood education experience for young children. (Author/PCB)

Suggests that the authoritative parenting style without physical punishment produces more positive results and fewest children's problems. Identifies age-appropriate authoritative responses: demanding and responsive; controlling but not restrictive; high parent involvement; participating actively with child's life; communicating openly; following…

Summarizes five documents and four articles in the ERIC database that examine parents' involvement in their children's education. Topics include strategies for better parenting, school readiness, increasing parent involvement, and parent education programs. (MDM)

Discusses four parent education programs carried out in a school in Gijon, Spain. Describes the social impetus for these programs, key components of their development and implementation, and the results for parents and the schools. Considers the effects of parenting education on parents' confidence and abilities and the limitations of the…

Describes how parents can instill habits of safety in very young children to help their future teenagers be safe and responsible drivers. Discusses the importance of developing safety habits while automobile and bicycle riding, instilling in toddlers a sense of responsibility through practice, being aware of the power of parental modeling, and…

Statistics indicate that many victims of fatalities from abuse are children of teenage parents. Profiles of typical abuse perpetrators match the characteristics of many students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) and place them at higher risk of acting impulsively and using violent and abusive behaviors. Teaching students parenting…

Discusses appropriate preventive methods for parents, dealing with sexual abuse in a matter-of-fact manner. Encourages parental reinforcement of child's understanding of his school's good touch/bad touch program through open communication, safety rules, and other measures. Recommends responses to actual child sexual abuse victims. (DST)