書籍推薦：Character-Building

 Again! 這些推薦來自子女教育俱樂部的各位教子有方的家長。

“Here are the books I like and found very useful to communicate certain values and social behavior with my two daughters. Like parenting books, don’t expect that it will sink in the first time you read the book to children. For me, I try to bring it up from time to time, especially when a related incidence appears. For example, my two girls 4.5 & 5.5 like to tease each other from time to time. When it happens and it doesn’t look like it is going to stop on their own, I would just say lightly, remember Simon’s Hook (see  the list below for this wonderful book), don’t bite it. Most of the time, the teasing would just stop there. Sometimes, I would have a follow-up discussion one-on-one during the bedtime routine when kids are in a peaceful and listening mode.”

“I often heard experts and experienced parents saying that 4-7 years old is the golden age for building moral value and characters. Now that my two girls are in this age group, I really believe this statement since I have seen with my two girls how self-centered, unappreciative they can be. But just with some consistent efforts from me and other adults in the house, they have improved a great deal in developing the good part of their human nature. Efforts really pay off. And most importantly, adults need to be a good role model since actions speak so much louder than any word.”

1. Incredible You! 10 Ways to let your greatness shine through

This beautiful book is near and dear to my heart. It is filled with positive words and ideas that will help our children feel good about themselves. In a world that is always trying to be politically correct, I find it refreshing that this book addresses the idea of “God” or a higher being - it helps to know that you are not alone! I love it, my children love it - it is a must have for anyone with children!! 

2. Sorry!

“Trudy Ludwig’s books are all wonderful supplements to my classroom guidance lessons, especially in grades 3-5. As an elementary school counselor, I love reading books to students which reinforce concepts and skills that have been taught. I found Sorry! to be a perfect story for 3rd graders. It fits well with discussions about how acquaintances of bullies, or “bystanders,” can make a positive difference in bullying situations. The message is also very clear that insincere apologies do more harm than good. Kudos to Trudy! “

 3. Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day

“This is our second encounter with Jamie Lee Curtis as an author and like the first (Where do Balloons Go?) they loved it! In this book we join a little girl as she takes a whirlwind tour of 13 different emotions, each told in that same sing-song rhyme that appears to be a staple of Curtis’ writing. The rhymes are brought to life with the same riot of color illustrations that really seem to appeal to young readers! The kids especially liked how the colors used changed with the moods while maintaining their vivid shades (there is nothing gloomy or lackluster about this book). At the very end, there is a large picture of the girl in the story with a set of wheels that the kids can turn to see a selection of moods which was quite humorous and led to much discussion between the kids about how they were feeling right then and what types of things that have happened before made them feel angry or silly…or whatever…so it was a light, fun read, but also a good way to get more in depth discussion of moods, how they just happen sometimes and what types of activities/events make you feel certain ways…you know…like what makes you angry or sad…what makes you happy or what do you do when you just feeling silly or blue? I think Today I Feel Silly is best as a read aloud book…and the larger the group of kids you’re reading to the more interesting the conversation after can get! I’d recommend this in a heart beat! We loved it! ”

4. Simon’s Hook; A Story About Teases and Put-downs

“This is a great book that empowers kids to deal with children who tease them. So often adults tell children to walk away…that is a difficult thing to do…especially for children who are learning so many life skills. “that’s not fair they said that”, “They are so mean”. So often the kids want to tell on them to get them in trouble…to find justice in the “wrong” behavior. This focuses on what the child can control and not what they can’t control.

This book has helped my daughter a lot! She is a child who gets her feelings hurt quite a bit. This has helped empower her and, overall, made many of the teasing children stop teasing her.

I highly recommend it! ”

5. Stop Picking On Me

This is a great book that shows how to deal with bullies and why they may bully and what to do.

6. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue

After seeing the author, Julia Cook, read this at a local book store’s story time, I immediately purchased Tattle Tongue. With a 6, 4 and 3 year old it was a fabulous place to start understanding tattling. Within days I was reading it to my son’s first grade class and his teacher was absolutely thrilled. This is a great story that really gives youngsters an idea of how to separate tattling from necessary information. The rules are explained in simple language with good examples. A great basis to help kids with the topic of tattling.

7. Have You Filled a Bucket Today: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids

This book visually conveys a message that is often difficult to explain to children, about finding happiness through spreading happiness. Kids understand it and love it, and it helps parents explain at a kid’s level why someone was mean to them. It is definitely one to read and re-read and I only wish it came in hardback to withstand the use!