The Playdate Kids Gazette

This blog is dedicated to all of the Playdate Kids Club Members. We will offer fun to read articles, tips for parents, ideas for arts and crafts projects and more!

Thursday, January 25, 2007

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.