A central tenet of Adlerian psychology and a timeless intervention strategy, encouragement gives children a sense that they have a place in society and, in turn, secures their investment in themselves as a group. As we witness rising levels of violence, depression, anxiety, and suicide among the nation's youth, this classic discussion of how to encourage children to engage in learning assumes renewed, even increased importance. Discouraged children disengage from learning and from society. Encouraged children believe themselves capable of overcoming adversity, of meeting life's challenges; they feel the value of contributing to the world around them, and both the society and the child benefit. Rudolf Dreikurs, a colleague of Alfred Adler, and Don Dinkmeyer, distinguished author and educator, provide teachers, mental health professionals, and parents with practical strategies for using encouragement in their work with children. They use case studies from actual classroom situations to illustrate their methods, resulting in a concise, easy-to-read volume that continues to be indispensable to anyone working with children. This new reprint includes a preface by G. W. Linden. --- from the publisher |