Five suggestions help parents teach their children to make decisions: give children tasks and choices that encourage a feeling of competence; allow children to share their opinions; give children weekly allowances and let them decide how to spend it; have children plan specific activities; and involve children in family councils. (SM)

The article presents an interactive take-home activity "Test Your Nerves" on the nervous system that helps parents begin talking about health with their children. Suggestions for teachers on introducing the activities, follow-up class activities, and developing similar activities are included. (SM)

Considers how mother-daughter relationships and gender role socialization are portrayed in two novels, "Caddie Woodlawn" by Carol Ryrie Brink and "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson. Shows how both novels reveal deeply embedded assumptions about gender roles and relationships. (HB)

Concerned Women for America opposes transformational outcome-based education because it coopts parents and shifts the focus from cognitive education to affective education. Children belong to their parents, not the state. Education should provide the essential academics that, combined with the values and beliefs learned at home, will determine…

This paper identifies and explains principles and practices in empowering parents of children with disabilities to be their advocates. Five models of empowerment are examined: moral, medical, enlightenment, compensatory, and the enabling models of helping. A lack of empirical data on empowerment is reported. (Author/DB)

This paper provides parenting strategies for parents of gifted children. Specific activities for cultivating each of Gardner's Seven Intelligences in one's children are suggested for age levels from infancy through adolescence. Tips for coping with the extra demands gifted children place on their parents are also provided, balancing the affective…

The most important things parents can do to help children succeed in school are listening and talking with them, showing pride in academic achievement, encouraging them with homework, helping them perceive themselves as capable problem solvers, and instilling a strong work ethic. An insert presents tips for building self-esteem. (SM)

Parents can help ensure that their elementary school students' science programs meet their needs. The article discusses the characteristics of a good science program, explains how parents can advocate for a good science program, and looks at the role of the PTA in supporting quality science programs. (SM)

Reviews research on infants classified by Ainsworth's "Strange Situation" assessment as insecure/ambivalent, and examines studies exploring attachment theory beyond infancy. Presents a theoretical discussion of the ways in which patterns of mother and child behaviors associated with the insecure/ambivalent pattern may work together to…

Describes preliminary results from research on language socialization practices of Black middle-class children and their mothers in Chicago (Illinois). Focus is on personal storytelling as a conduit through which values, beliefs, and identity are transmitted to middle-class Black children. (JB)

Analysis of governmental promotion of out-of-home child care (OHCC) versus parental child care indicates no superiority of OHCC based on children's welfare or families' economic requirements. Ways are needed to support parental care of young children and to counterbalance day care subsidies with equivalent subsidies to parents raising their own…

Discusses how educators can deal with children from single-parent families and explains why single parents should be included in every dimension of the classroom family. (MG)

The value of homework for students with disabilities is examined, focusing on the relationship between the stages of learning (acquisition, proficiency, maintenance, and generalization) and the responsibilities of supervising individuals (special and regular education teachers and parents). Suggestions for effective use of homework assignments are…

Discusses the effect of the mass media, particularly the influence of violence and sex, on adolescents, noting the paucity of research on the subject. The article recommends a compromise between censorship and free expression. It examines how teachers and parents can help by discussing media messages with students. (SM)

Explains how parents can help alleviate their children's anxiety when visiting the doctor or taking medication. The Children's Health Forum helps parents and children via booklets distributed nationally in doctors' offices and pharmacies that allow children fully to express their opinions and feelings. (SM)