How can we help a child change from undependable to dependable, from a mediocre student to a capable student, from someone who won't amount to very much to someone who will count for something. The answer is at once both simple and complicated: We treat a child as if he already is what we would like him to become.

Wise parents know that fighting a teenager, like fighting a riptide, is inviting doom.

If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.

Responsibility is fostered by allowing children a voice and wherever indicated a choice in matters that affect them.

Teenagers crave independence. The more self-suf-ficient we make them feel, the less hostile they are toward us.

While parents possess the original key to their offspring's experience, teachers have a spare key. They, too, can open or close the minds and hearts of children.

A modern teacher educates children to value their emotions.