Safe Within These Walls: De-escalating School Situations Before They Become Crises by Andra Medea, MA

This book first came out almost 10 years ago. And while there's a lot that could be updated, especially with the violence in the past few years, a lot of this information is still useful.

In the wake of school tragedies and the growing concern about creating safe environments for children, teachers, parents, and school personnel, this resource provides practical techniques and guidelines for de-escalating aggression with insight and finesse rather than with force. Andrea Madea explains how to manage aggression from tantrums to mental health issues and school shootings, using anecdotes, research-informed techniques, and, at times, humor.

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**My thoughts**

Sometimes it is hard as an adult to reach an angry child. They become like human walls of rage. Anything we throw at them just crashes or bounces right back at us. They can be difficult to diffuse, which is necessary to get them to listen to reason and to find their voices. In theory, we know this, already, but in the heat of the moment may forget. This book does a great job in helping to identify children who are overly angry, even if it isn't as apparent on the surface. Sometimes kids are silently angry, those still waters that are about to erupt like Ol' Faithful. It gives plenty of tips to help the angry child to calm down. (I love the example right in the beginning where the administrator used to trick a child into holding a stack of books for several minutes, forcing them to stabilize from their core and thus calm down. It's a great sensory trick.) 

One important thing Andra points out is for teachers to also be aware of their own moods. If you are in a bad mood, chances are the kids are going to pick up on it and feed off of it. One of our fundamental lessons in Montessori training is to "Know thyself." Learn what makes you tick and find strategies to help yourself calm. Learn how nonverbal cues send authoritative and submissive messages. This book provides some fun ways to find balance.

It is broken down into easy-to-read sections, complete with examples of escalating situations and tried-and-true tricks to help diffuse those situations. At the end of each chapter is a helpful recap. The end has a comprehensive list of resources. The final chapter talks about handling completely escalated situations, such as Columbine or Newtown. This chapter would make for an excellent start for a seminar or lengthy full staff meeting in schools, to prepare for such an event to take place. It's not a pleasant conversation, but one that should be had, just in case.

I would actually recommend this book to anyone who has to deal with children on a regular basis. Yes, it is geared toward teachers who are trying to handle difficult children and sometimes difficult situations with parents. A lot of the advice within can be implemented at all times in the classroom. Even seasoned veterans may find something new to try, or else have an old idea sparked again, that they haven't tried in a while. Parents and other caregivers can also learn a lot about navigating those difficult waters with children.

I received a requested review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens by Joani Geltman

Turn back the clocks! Your sweet child has morphed into a teen. And it's no longer just a messy bedroom or an attitude with a capital "A" causing concern. There's a whole new range of issues on the horizon.

What if your daughter texts a naked picture to a "boyfriend"...which he then forwards to the entire class? What if your son becomes increasingly withdrawn...Or your child is being bullied online? Would you know what to do? You could read a whole book on teen psychology--but who has the time! As a parent, what you need most is quick and candid advice for dealing with the issue at hand. After all, if you say the right thing you will open up the lines of communication, but say the wrong thing...and WATCH OUT.

A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens is the solution. Covering a broad range of issues from the terrifying (sex, drinking, drugs, depression) to the frustrating (defiance, laziness, conformity, entitlement), parenting expert Joani Geltman approaches each of the 80 topics with honesty and a dash of humor. Want to understand why teens do what they do? Joani reveals what they are thinking and feeling--and what developmental factors are involved. She then explains how to approach each problem in a way that lets your kid know you "get it" and leads to truly productive conversations.

From lying to sexting to falling grades, the teenage years can be an uphill battle. Here is the no-nonsense guide you need to get your teen talking, listening, and back on track.

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

Raising teens is a difficult business. This book is a quick resource, designed to help parents with the usual situations that most find themselves in as they battle the hormones and precarious years leading to adulthood. Instead of reading the book from cover to cover, which you can easily do, the book is set up as a quick reference for different situations. Your teen is making your crazy today? Flip through the table of contents to find the situation that best describes yours and then read. Advice is concise, yet clear, and likely to be very helpful. Remember that you aren't going to change the behaviors overnight, but by following these steps you should see some gradual change. It's not going to be a quick fix, but is useful advice.

One of my favorite lines in the book is "If you see this as a teaching moment, like teaching your toddler to say please and thank you, you'll be on easy street." Joani tackles the tough topics with such humor and wisdom throughout the book. This helps to make it a more pleasurable read.

I received a requested review copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Project Kid by Amanda Kingloff

Perfect for crafty parents who are eager to get their kids excited about DIY, ProjectKid is everything you could want in a craft book: 100(!) stylish, inventive projects; step-by-step photographs; tips for the novice crafter; easy-to-follow instructions; and a fresh, modern look. What really sets these projects apart are the unexpected, ingenious ways Kingloff uses everyday objects and materials. (Did you ever think a body-wash bottle would make a perfect rocket ship?) And these are projects for things kids want to make—and keep—from a juice-box owl to a pirate ship to a curio cabinet for displaying all of their treasures, plus games, jewelry, and more. Also included in the book are basic crafting lessons (such as pom-pom making and weaving) to help children of all ages build a DIY arsenal, a handy guide to must-have tools and materials, and a source directory.

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

As Kingloff was the lifestyle director at Parents magazine for so long, overseeing the DIY content, I am not surprised to find such a comprehensive collection of activities for families to do together. The creativity found within these pages is astonishing. I would have gone absolutely crazy over this book as a kid.

Most of the materials that you need are already found at your house. For other items, Kingloff provides website and store recommendations to help you find what you need. Step-by-step directions are very clearly written out, with excellent photographs of each step. This is great for people who do better with written directions and for those who are more adept at following a photo tutorial. 

Activities definitely range in ability level. Projects such as the Joiner-Biscuit Butterflies would be easy to do with my preschool and kindergarten students. Juice-Box Owls would be more appropriate for older children. Some of them would even make great gifts, such as the Pom-Pom Poodle Pull Toy and the Embroidered Flyswatters. Others are more practical, such as the Family Message Center and Crafty Containers. Inspire learning while crafting with the Teaching Timepiece, ABC Flashcards, and Homemade Memory Game. 

I love the little art lessons at the end of each section, because they allow for open-ended creativity, beyond just the crafts shown in this book. The Montessorian in me appreciates open-ended possibilities, instead of only trying to mimic a craft! I also love the section on natural crafts, because it inspires you to spend time outside.

Both boys and girls can find something to enjoy in here, because crafts are not just for girls. The Robot Bank, Bottle Rocket, and Totally Tubular Train are sure to appeal to both!

Yes, a lot of the photographs are Pinterest worthy. I have a feeling that in the true tradition of Pinterest, a lot of attempts at some of these crafts are going to be significantly less than stellar. That isn't to say that with time and practice, your crafty skills, and those of your children, will not improve.

This is one that you'll want in a hard copy to make it easier to flip through the projects!

Thank you to NetGalley for fulfilling my review request. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Review of Why Will No One Play With Me? by Caroline Maguire

MOM'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

From renowned parent expert Caroline Maguire, Why Will No One Play with Me? is a groundbreaking program that has helped thousands of children struggling with social skills to make friends, find acceptance, and have a happy childhood.

Every parent wants their child to be okay--to have friends, to be successful, to feel comfortable in his or her own skin. But many children lack important social and executive functioning skills that allow them to navigate through the world with ease.

In-demand parenting expert and former Hallowell Center coach Caroline Maguire has worked with thousands of families dealing with chronic social dilemmas, ranging from shyness to aggression to ADHD, and more. In this groundbreaking book, she shares her decade-in-the-making protocol--The Play Better Plan-- to help parents coach children to connect with others and make friends. Children of all ages--truly, from Kindergarten to college age-- will gain the confidence to make friends and get along with others, using tools such as:

*Social Sleuthing: learn to pay attention to social cues

*Post-Play Date Huddles: help kids figure out what to look for in a friendship

*Reflective Listening: improve your child's relationship with their peers

With compassion and ease, this program gives parents a tangible, easy-to-follow guide for helping kids develop the executive function and social skills they need to thrive.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
One of the most heartwrenching questions to be asked when you are a parent or a caregiver is "Why will no one play with me?" Or, "Why don't I have any friends?" For some kids, it's just not that easy to go out and make friends. They are simply lacking the skills to be able to do so. And they need help learning those skills so that they can go out and have more success in the social world. Author Caroline Maguire relies on her experiences both as an academic and social skills coach for children, plus her own memories of social difficulties as a child, to guide parents, teachers, and caregivers through helping children in their lives to develop those social skills.

Right off the bat, I was impressed with five words that Caroline tells us to remember. "If they could, they would." I guess innately, I already knew that and have always strived to teach my children using this idea. But to see those five words in print looking me in the face really had an impact. You're not going to get anywhere with kids unless you can truly understand those five words.

To help the reader better understand this child who is struggling, Caroline takes us into the wonderful worlds of science and psychology, explaining how the brain develops and how social skills develop. She illustrates the concepts with a great graphic of an iceberg showing how much there actually is when it comes to social development and emotions. She also uses several stories of children she has known, including their struggles, and ways that they were able to navigate some tricky situations.

I think one of the most important things that Caroline tells us is to be aware of your own perceptions and social skills. Also take a look at how you interact with the child and what your preconceived notions are about that child and her behavior. You get questions to ask yourself to help you better understand yourself. You also get discussion question ideas and activities that you can do with your child to help him identify how he is feeling in given situations. These answers will help you better pinpoint what is really going on and help determine a potential solution. It's imperative that you really listen and not just constantly talk at your child.

And remember that these techniques are going to take time. Nothing is going to happen overnight. It takes time to learn a new skill. It's also going to take some repetition of practicing these skills.

Caroline provides some extensive questionnaires for you to use, plus detailed instructions on how to best use them. These will help you pinpoint where you're going to start working with your child. And then you will use the appropriate "Play Better" lessons that correspond with your answers to start working on your child's social skills. You're given infographics, illustrations, scenarios, and real-life excursions that you can take to practice what you discuss and to help your child work on social skills.

I think it will be easy for parents to feel overwhelmed as they try to digest all of the information and the activities within this book. It's going to be most important to read through the book first and to identify your own social skills strengths and weaknesses, plus your own preconceptions about your child's behaviors first. Go ahead and fill out the questionnaires, but then really digest the activities that you're going to be doing with your child. You don't want to be sitting at the mall performing a social skills activities while simultaneously reading for the first time what you're supposed to be saying and doing while you are there. Again, this is all going to take time.

But I also think that as you get more comfortable in the techniques outlined in this book, you are going to find it easier to implement all of these and will get through them easier. 

Can teachers benefit from reading this? I don't think it would hurt at all. I'm enjoying learning the terminology that Caroline uses to explain some of the behaviors and skills. If a parent is working on these skills at home, it would be helpful for the teacher to use the same terminology in the classroom. And if the child is working with a professional, such as a therapist, again, it would be helpful for all adults to be using the same words. And I think parents may require some help working through this at some points. So having other adults at least aware of what is going on would be beneficial.

Teachers may also be able to adapt some of the activities in the book to their classroom. I think it's helpful to read a lot of books to arm yourself with a lot of knowledge as you approach any of your students. And those five words are always a great reminder, even for professionals to hear again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of '101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults' by Bob Bedore

Description

101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults: A Smart Fun Book for Ages 5 and Up is the follow-up to Bob Bedore’s popular 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults. This sequel takes us even deeper into the craft of improv — the magical art of creating something out of nothing — with all new games!

Author Bob Bedore emphasizes how you can use improvisation, creativity, and teamwork any time, any place, to get your imagination flowing, win over a crowd, or be a wittier conversationalist. Actors and improv students will appreciate the author's fun, down-to-earth approach to developing theater craft. And improv isn't only for serious thespians. Used as a classroom activity, it teaches kids how to have fun, relax, and work together without seeming like an educational tool at all.

Great on its own or as a companion to Bedore’s first book, 101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults is centered around entertaining an audience and creating memorable scenes. This sequel includes information on how to produce your own improv show.

101 More Improv Games for Children and Adults is full of wacky and brilliant activities for kids, teachers, actors, comedians, improv groups, or anyone else.

**My review, which first appeared on Examiner**

This book is filled with all kinds of fun activities for most ages. I would recommend it for elementary and beyond, though some could be scaled back for kindergartners, as well.

The first quarter of the book provides some examples as to how an improv situation works, via descriptions known as "Magic Moments." It provides rules on how to "stay in the game" and provides a general outline that fits all of the different types of activities. It doesn't get very in depth with the methodology involved with doing improv. In fact, author Bob Bedore recommends you read his first book to get more of that information. I don't know much about doing improv, but still felt that there was adequate explanation in this book. Bob does provide his contact information, should you have questions. 

These activities would be great for building community within a group, forging relationships and bonding experiences. It gives children a chance to practice speech and language skills, as well as helping them to build confidence. They also have to pay attention to what is going on, so that they can effectively participate. My favorites are the ones where the audience calls out different characters or emotions, music is played to dictate movement, or the one-word debate.
While kids would benefit from having an adult supervise or guide the activities, once the concept is introduced to them, they could page through this book for ideas on their own.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Buy links

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Hunter House

Get the first book, 101 Improv Games for Children and Adults

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble \ Hunter House

Review of 'Dessert Designer' by Dana Meachen Rau

Description

Turn your boring desserts into fantastic works of food art. Learn to make cupcakes into bunnies or candies into shining stars. The best part of this book is learning it’s OK to play with your food!

For ages 9-13.

* Step-by-step instructions to create each project
* Cool projects! No baking required!
* Photos enhance the projects and appeal to readers of all ages
* In line with the popular food styling trend
* Great family activity

Advance Praise

"Dessert Designer is filled with sweet, creative ideas that are doable, even for the novice designer—and kids, too.”
-Rebecca French, author Sweet Home cookbook and sweet-home.com

**My Thoughts**

Creative cooking and baking is all the rage right now. Just turn on any food-related network and even some other mainstream channels. You can even find cooking shows playing alongside sports events in restaurants.

I love the gorgeous photography used to illustrate the book. I don't know that my own creations would ever look quite as good, but the pictures make you want to try your very best!

The Decorator's Toolbox is a great page. The photograph looks much like a real kitchen drawer or box would and helps you to identify what all of the tools are. I would recommend getting your child her own set of decorating tools to keep in a special drawer, or even a plastic box of her very own in which to keep supplies. This would give her greater ownership over the projects.

Making these projects together can add to great family bonding time and memories to cherish for years to come. Your child will want to have some independent time, too. Go through the book together to determine which ones she can do alone and which ones would require your help. Designate some to make ahead of time for parties and others she can make with her friends at parties. 

You could easily apply the skills that you learn from this book to making some of your own favorite creations. 

I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review. 

Buy links: Amazon \ Capstone Young Readers

  

About the Author:

Dana Meachen Rau writes about many topics, including food! When she's not writing, she's being creative in other ways - especially in the kitchen. Sometimes she follows recipes, but other times she experiments with new flavors. And she doesn't need a special occasion to whip up a special dessert for her friends and family in Burlington, Connecticut.

Visit her website: http://www.danameachenrau.com/ 

'Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow'

Book description:

An insightful and powerful look at the magic of summer camp-and why it is so important for children to be away from home . . .if only for a little while.

In an age when it's the rare child who walks to school on his own, the thought of sending your "little ones" off to sleep-away camp can be overwhelming-for you and for them. But parents' first instinct-to shelter their offspring above all else-is actually depriving kids of the major developmental milestones that occur through letting them go-and watching them come back transformed.

In Homesick and Happy, renowned child psychologist Michael Thompson, PhD, shares a strong argument for, and a vital guide to, this brief loosening of ties. A great champion of summer camp, he explains how camp ushers your children into a thrilling world offering an environment that most of us at home cannot: an electronics-free zone, a multigenerational community, meaningful daily rituals like group meals and cabin clean-up, and a place where time simply slows down. In the buggy woods,icy swims, campfire sing-alongs, and daring adventures, children have emotionally significant and character-building experiences; they often grow inways that surprise even themselves; they make lifelong memories and cherished friends. Thompson shows how children who are away from their parents can be both homesick and happy, scared and successful, anxious and exuberant. When kids go to camp-for a week, a month, or the whole summer-they can experience some of the greatest maturation of their lives, and return more independent,strong, and healthy.

Buy from Amazon: Paperback \ Kindle 

About the author:

Michael Thompson, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, lecturer, consultant, and former seventh-grade teacher. He conducts workshops across the United States and internationally on social cruelty, children's friendships, and boys' development. With Dan Kindlon, Ph.D., he co-authored the New York Times bestseller Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys, which was adapted into an acclaimed documentary shown on PBS. With Teresa H. Barker he co-authored The Pressured Child:Helping Your Child Find Success in School and Life and Speaking of Boys:Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Raising Sons. With Catherine O'Neill Grace and Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D., he co-authored Best Friends,Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children and Mom,They're Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems. Dr. Thompson is married and the father of two. He lives in Arlington, Massachusetts, and can be reached at www.michaelthompson-phd.com.

'Side by Side: 20 Collaborative Projects for Crafting With Your Kids'

Crafting is always more fun and more meaningful when it’s shared with those you love. Discover the joy of working alongside your child while creating arts and crafts that inspire. With these twenty whimsical projects in a variety of mediums, you and your child will find fun ways to work collaboratively and independently—together on the same project, or side by side on related projects. Create Giant Newspaper Snowflakes that take traditional paper snowflakes to magical new levels. Create surprising monoprints that take glitter glue to new heights. Explore the versatility of embroidery with a child-friendly version that uses a leaf as the canvas and a more advanced version that uses a child’s drawing for stitching inspiration. Get out in the garden and plant a Living Willow Teepee that will be a perfect playhouse and retreat for years to come.

Some of life’s best moments are spent simply doing things in the presence of the ones we love, not necessarily doing the same thing together, but being together and working side by side. The craft projects in this book will help you to create just those moments with your child.

Print Editions:

Format: Paperback
Publication Date:	August 14, 2012
Pages:	160
Trim Size:	7 1/2 x 10
ISBN:	9781590309568
List Price:	$19.95 USD

Promotional information provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

'Be the Mom: Overcome Attitude Traps and Enjoy Your Kids'

The role of mom is often described as the most important job in the world. Rightly so, for so much is at stake during children’s early years and moms are central in shaping character and personhood. However, when the going gets tough (the endless diapers, the continual messes, the endless conflict resolution, the complete lack of personal time, etc.), moms are often tempted to quit their “mom-job”. While few would endorse an outright abandonment of motherhood, others may recommend that a woman treat her role as secondary to personal desires in order to combat feelings of discouragement and/or unfulfillment. The enemy has laid intentional traps cleverly designed to discourage and redirect a woman towards self rather than family. Moms need to know how to recognize these traps . . . and avoid them. Be the Mom: Overcome Attitude Traps and Enjoy Your Kids explores and validates the life of a mom who makes her family a priority and introduces the reader to seven Mom Traps that may be preventing them from a full, joy-filled life.



Print Editions:

Format: Paperback
Publication Date:	August 01, 2012
Pages:	176
Trim Size:	5 1/2 x 8 1/4
ISBN:	9781589976849
List Price:	$12.99 USD

Information provided by the publisher via NetGalley.