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Daniel A Hughes This book shows how to work successfully with emotional and behavioral problems rooted in deficient early attachments. In particular, it addresses the emotional difficulties of many of the foster and adopted children living in our country who are unable to form secure attachments. Traditional interventions, which do not teach parents how to successfully engage the child, frequently do not provide the means by which the seriously damaged child can form the secure attachment that underlies behavioral change. Dr. Daniel Hughes maps out a treatment plan designed to help the child begin to experience and accept, from both the therapist and the parents, affective attunement that he or she should have received in the first few years of life. Hughes' approach includes: ―Using foster and adopted parents as co-therapists ―Teaching differentiation between old and new parents ―Overcoming the perception of discipline as abusive ―Framing misbehavior, discipline, conflicts, and parental authority as important aspects of a child's learning to trust. All children, at the core of their beings, need to be attached to someone who considers them to be very special and who is committed to providing for their ongoing care. Children who lose their birth parents desperately need such a relationship if they are to heal and grow. This book shows therapists how to facilitate this crucial bond. Buy on Amazon -
Deborah D. Gray and Megan Clarke Packed full of great ideas for fun games and activities, this book encourages positive attachments between a parent or carer and their child. When it comes to choosing the best games to play with children who have difficulties attaching, it is often hard to know how to play with a purpose. This book contains fun, age-appropriate games along with an explanation of why they matter. All the games included are designed for specific age ranges, from infants to older children, and help to address particular needs in children that are known to affect attachment, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It provides an easy-to-understand description of attachment and reveals the crucial role that play has in forming attachments. Written for parents and carers, as well as for use by professionals, it is full of strategies to help build healthy attachments in children who have experienced early trauma. Buy on Amazon -
Greta S. Kjos, J.D., CLC Wise Ink Creative Publishing In this inspiring and vulnerable memoir, I am the Ocean, Greta Kjos skillfully takes readers along the journey that took her from a life in near collapse to one of peace, joy and courage. Through self-reflection, spiritual awakening and therapy, she began to shed the layers of herself that had kept her a prisoner in her own life. Yet the greatest discovery was in the intrinsically and beautifully connected healing journey she shared with her daughter. Buy on Amazon -
Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D. I Love You Rituals offers more than seventy delightful rhymes and games that send the message of unconditional love and enhance children's social, emotional, and school success.Winner of a 1999 Parent's Guide Children's Media Award, these positive nursery rhymes, interactive finger plays, soothing games, and physically active can be played with children from infancy through age eight. In only minutes a day, these powerful rituals:- Prime a child's brain for learning
- Help children cope with change
- Enhance attention, cooperation, and self-esteem
- Help busy families stay close
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Gregory C. Keck and L. Gianforte Welcoming a new child into the home through adoption is a life-altering experience -- for the child, the parents, and everyone else in the family. Expectations and realities often differ dramatically, and adjusting to the change can be difficult and emotionally painful. Since the majority of children available for adoption today are in the system as the result of abuse and neglect, parents must acknowledge the fact they these young innocents will carry their trauma with them into their new homes. A willingness to address the not-so-easy, didn't-see-that-coming aspects of adoption is the first step toward building a strong family. A valuable resource for parents and professionals, this book provides useful strategies for facing the challenges posed by adopted children. The inclusion of real stories from real people adds heart and encouragement, offering hope for the future of the entire family. Buy on Amazon -
Dr. Steven Gray Motivating Marvin is all about helping your youngster succeed in school. So many students today fail to achieve their best within the academic setting. In fact, you might say we are in the middle of an educational underachievement epidemic. These young persons have the potential to do well - are academically capable - but time after time, they fail to do so. Why? And what can we do? Motivating Marvin is designed for parents and teachers who have these underachievers in their homes or classrooms. Dr. Gray describes some of the most common pitfalls that play into academic underachievement, and then offers parents proven strategies which can help motivate students to do their best in school. Dr. Gray covers everything from neuropsychologic factors to motivational "carrots," personality temperament to parenting practices. He helps parents understand the dynamics being played out in their homes and equips them to assist youth in an academic turnaround. As with his first book, Dr. Gray combines an entertaining and lively dialogue with the reader, emphasizing practical solutions. Buy on Amazon -
Adopted children who have suffered trauma and neglect have structural brain change, as well as specific developmental and emotional needs. They need particular care to build attachment and overcome trauma. This book provides professionals with the knowledge and advice they need to help adoptive families build positive relationships and help children heal. It explains how neglect, trauma and prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol affect brain and emotional development, and explains how to recognise these effects and attachment issues in children. It also provides ways to help children settle into new families and home and school approaches that encourage children to flourish. The book also includes practical resources such as checklists, questionnaires, assessments and tools for professionals including social workers, child welfare workers and mental health workers. This book will be an invaluable resource for professionals working with adoptive families and will support them in nurturing positive family relationships and resilient, happy children. It is ideal as a child welfare text or reference book and will also be of interest to parents. Buy on Amazon -
Kim S. Golding Nurturing Attachments combines the experience and wisdom of parents and carers with that of professionals to provide support and practical guidance for foster and adoptive parents looking after children with insecure attachment relationships. It gives an overview of attachment theory and a step-by-step model of parenting which provides the reader with a tried-and-tested framework for developing resilience and emotional growth. Featuring throughout are the stories of Catherine, Zoe, Marcus and Luke, four fictional children in foster care or adoptive homes, who are used to illustrate the ideas and strategies described. The book offers sound advice and provides exercises for parents and their children, as well as useful tools that supervising social workers can use both in individual support of carers as well as in training exercises. This is an essential guide for adoptive and foster parents, professionals including health and social care practitioners, clinical psychologists, child care professionals, and lecturers and students in this field. Buy on Amazon -
Kudos to Barbara and Cathy for showing us how to keep the heart-connection with our child strong and healthy, regardless of their age. —Dr. Tim Kimmel, Author of Grace-Based Parenting. Once you understand attachment, parenting makes a lot more sense. The basics of child development, and the importance of attachment, will equip you to create meaningful and secure relationships that last a lifetime. You’ll discover: what is healthy attachment, how to nurture connection in various ages and stages, the crucial differences between punishment and discipline, how child development research aligns with biblical truth, attachment doesn’t create a clingy and codependent child—it equips kids to have healthy relationships throughout their lifetime. Dr. Barbara Sorrels is a mom and grandmother. Her experience as a parent, teacher, early childhood administrator, children’s pastor, university professor, and consultant brings a unique perspective to her speaking, and writing. Cathy Chalmers, M.A., began her education in the field of psychology. She has worked in psychiatric residential treatment, a developmental pediatric clinic, and in private practice. Cathy and her husband are proud parents of two adult daughters. Through research, heart, and wisdom this book shows why attachment is so important to raising emotionally secure and spiritually healthy kids. —John Finch, bestselling author of The Father Effect. What a gift of practical advice, supported by years of research and application! Full of hope and promise for every parent. — Deniese Dillon, Co-founder and Executive Director Emeritus of the adoption agency, Dillon International, Inc. Buy on Amazon -
Daniel A Hughes This book explores emotional and behavioral difficulties, a common diagnosis in looked after children. Dan Hughes shares his expertise on the symptoms, prognosis and treatment for affected children, with valuable advice on how parents and carers can help children to improve their behavior and increase their self-esteem. Buy on Amazon -
Riley the Brave is the story of a little bear with big feelings. Join this super-cool cub as he faces his fears with the animals who love him. Includes educational afterword for caring adults. "Big critters" can help the "cubs" in their lives as they read and re-read this playful and poignant children's book. Recommended for ages 3-103 WHAT IS IT? More than just a bright and engaging hardback picture book, RILEY THE BRAVE is a tool powered by the latest brain science to help those healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the parents, family, teachers, therapists and other caring adults in their lives. HOW DOES IT WORK? Through the power of story, parts of the brain blocked by shame, fear or sadness are reached. The story is accessible for all different kinds of families and helps those NOT impacted by trauma better understand their own big feelings as well as what their friends or classmates might be experiencing. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE AFTERWORD? Easy-to-understand brain science for parents and professionals. HOW IS RILEY THE BRAVE BEING USED? IN THE HOME: It has already become the favorite bedtime story of many - even babies can connect with the colorful images and engaging animals. It also eases conversations about big feelings and challenging behaviors. IN THE CLASSROOM: Fostering social-emotional learning and supporting a trauma-informed environment. It also opens conversations about different kinds of families and race in a non-threatening way. IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS: Therapists in out-patient and in-patient settings are reporting profound responses to the story and break-through moments in treatment. Pediatricians are adding Riley the Brave to their resource libraries, especially with all the helpful extras available online. IN CHILD WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS: Riley the Brave is a perfect tool for training and supporting staff and parents involved with foster care and adoption. Buy on Amazon -
Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross & Wendy Lyons Sunshine The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family--and addressing their special needs--requires care, consideration, and compassion. Written by two research psychologists specializing in adoption and attachment, The Connected Child will help you:- Build bonds of affection and trust with your adopted child
- Effectively deal with any learning or behavioral disorders
- Discipline your child with love without making him or her feel threatened
