Sticks and Stones - by Scott Cooper (Paperback)

About the Book

Simple and effective exercises to help kids, from grade schoolers through teens, stand up for themselves. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

Sticks and Stones helps parents teach kids how to speak up for themselves more assertively, gently, and effectively. Each chapter, based on the characteristics of a particular bird, uses a wealth of examples and imaginative exercises to give kids the confidence to speak truth to power.

This unique guide, beautifully illustrated with line drawings of each bird and informed by the author's gentle humor, will help kids be effective communicators and includes easy-to-follow exercises and sample scripts. Examples include:
Shut down bullies (The Way of the Blue Jay)
Overcome shyness (The Way of the Black Bird)
Counter peer pressure (The Way of the Hummingbird)
Resolve fights (The Way of the Dove)
Accept blame (The Way of the Crow)
And more

From the Back Cover

HELP YOUR CHILD STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT WITHOUT GETTING CLOBBERED

"Hey, Shorty, what's your problem?" "Everyone will think you're stupid if you don't come". "You wanna fight me on that?" Every parent knows the truth: Sticks and stones certainly hurt, and so can names and words. Unfortunately, criticism, teasing, ridicule, coercion, and conflict are an inevitable part of every child's life. This unique book will help you give your children the verbal tools to counter the hurtful words others tell them -- and that they tell themselves. Each chapter, based on the characteristics of a particular bird, uses a wealth of examples, sample scripts, and imaginative, easy-to-follow exercises to give kids the confidence to speak up for themselves more assertively, yet gently and effectively. Help your child learn how to:
-- resist peer pressure (the Way of the Blue Jay)
-- accept blame (the Way of the Crow)
-- shut down bullies (the Way of the Hummingbird)
-- resolve conflicts (the Way of the Dove)
-- overcome shyness (the Way of the Blackbird)
-- talk back to self-defeating thoughts (the Way of the Owl)
-- live more mindfully (the Way of the Hawk)

Review Quotes

"A practical guide to help children be emotionally intelligent when their playmates are not."
--Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

"A wonderful, fresh new addition to the field of parent education. Creative, insightful, respectful, and practical in his approach, Scott Cooper creates colorful images that make the steps to effective communication easy to remember and follow."
--Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, author of Raising Your Spirited Child

"Scott Cooper gives parents ample doses of practical, easy-to-follow recipes to help children cope with relationship crises and change negative self-talk. I highly recommend his common-sense approaches to fostering a sense of well-being and strength of character."
--Barbara C. Unell, author of Discipline Without Spanking or Shouting

About the Author

Scott Cooper is a principal and CFO of an international planning and design firm and a member of the local school board. He has been a teacher, basketball coach, scout leader, and Boys' and Girls' club volunteer. He lives in California with his wife and three children.