A volume in Lifespan Learning Series Editors: Paris Strom, Auburn
University, and Robert D. Strom Arizona State University Parents feel
that a fast-paced lifestyle requires constant hurry to complete the next
task and causes them to lose control over how time is spent. This
environment makes it more difficult to build relationships with their
children and teach them to honor priorities, care about others, maintain
health, manage conflicts, and achieve balance. Our cross-cultural
studies of families have found that the most important gift parents can
give their children is spending time together. Being together without
multitasking or other interruptions increases sharing, in depth
conversations, learning, and closeness. This book shows how to prepare
children for school by providing the following experiences. - Parents
have a new obligation, introducing their children to the Internet.
Parent and child Internet visits are presented for each chapter with
guidelines for teaching online. Information about child development
stages are provided for parents on additional Web sites. You can link to
these Web sites at Information Age Publishing http:
//www.infoagepub.com/stromyoung- children - Parents and children spend
more time watching television together than doing other things.
Conversation questions are provided as a tool that parents can use to
find out how children interpret events they see and detect learning
needs. - Children will more likely become creative adults if they
receive support for imagination and curiosity. Examples illustrate the
merits of playing alone, playing with friends, and pretending with
parents. - Boys and girls like bedtime stories and are motivated to read
when they see parents read for pleasure. Children's books that are
recommended for discussion reinforce values parents hope to convey. -
Parents are responsible for teaching foundation lessons about
socialization. Methods are described to foster development of child
self-control, getting along with others, managing fears, and setting
goals. - Parents benefit from feedback on how well their goals and
practices reflect principles of child development. A parent
self-evaluation form includes questions and answers to identify personal
strengths and learning needs. This book is for parents, grandparents,
and other educators of young children ages 3 to 8.
