How to Use Self-Help Books for Kids

Self-help books are helpful for individuals of any age going through any matter. They can offer advice, ways to cope, ideas, support and more. Self-help books for kids are just as important. Although young children may not be able to read a book and take away the advice meant especially for them—they can understand that they are not alone, and learn to subconsciously cope since they understand their situation better that before they read the book.

Many individuals can use children’s self-help books. Teachers can use them in class or in one-on-one meetings, therapists, counselors, doctors and psychologists can use them during sessions and parents can use them at home as a tool for bonding and helping their children.

Here are some tips for the best way to use a children’s self-help book to its maximum benefit:

Ø Introduce the book to the child as if it were just a regular, fun book. Don’t tell the child that it is supposed to help them, offer advice or teach them anything.
Ø Let the child examine the book on their own for the first time. Let the child get to know the illustrations (and if they can read—get the gist of the storyline alone initially).
Ø Read the book with the child and explain the situation page by page in a lighthearted, yet serious manner.

Self-help books that are written by doctors offer medical advice based on years of studies, research and testing. They are tailored specifically to offer just the right amount of advice blended with just the right amount of freedom one needs for “do-it-yourself healing.”

The Playdate Kids series allows children to understand their difficult life situation from an outsider’s prospective, yet feel secure that other kids go through the same problems. The characters offer a friendly perspective on each issue while teaching the child reader that it is extremely important to share your emotions with a trusted adult.

The goal of our self-help books is this: to assist in a child’s healing process while simultaneously and effortlessly strengthening their social skills. To learn more about the books, visit the website at: www.theplaydatekids.com.

A New Year

It is 2007, and if you are anything like most people, you have made a New Year's Resolution. If your resolution has anything to do with your children-- even better!

Here are some great ideas for New Year's Resolutions for parents:

• Spend more time with the family
• Eliminate as much junk food from the home as possible
• Replace sodas and juices with water
• Take the family on an outing at least once a month (park, zoo, library, fair, beach)
• Open a savings account for each child and deposit $25 for the new year
• Discuss the newspaper together
• Go see a play together at least once every three months. Exposing your kids to the arts is excellent for their future.

Here are some ideas for New Year's Resolutions for your kids:

• Make the bed each morning
• Eat more fruits and veggies
• Brush teeth and wash face twice a day: morning and night
• Eliminate soda
• Read a new book each week and discuss it with mom or dad
• Make sure to get enough exercise, watch less TV

If you already have a resolution, great! Keep track of the progress in a journal. You can even make your own private journal on the computer. Try to keep at it because a new year calls for a great new change. Try to make your 2007 as positive as possible!

Good Luck!