What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids [Paperback]

Peter L. Benson Ph.D. (Author), Judy Galbraith M.A. (Author), Pamela Espeland (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1998

With over 220,000 copies in print, the original What Kids Need to Succeed is a proven best-seller. Communities across the nation have embraced its quick-read, common-sense suggestions for helping kids lead healthy, productive, positive lives and stay out of trouble. The first edition identified 30 Developmental Assets™ essential to promoting success and preventing at-risk behaviors.

This revised, expanded, updated edition, based on findings from a recent nationwide survey conducted by Search Institute, includes the latest information on asset-building and expands the original 30 assets to 40.

It describes new assets including caring neighborhoods, community service, integrity, cultural competence, and peaceful conflict resolution, then gives specific suggestions for building all 40 assets at home, at school, in the neighborhood, and in the faith community.

With over 700 ideas to try, What Kids Need to Succeed makes anyone an asset-builder and a positive force in young people's lives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Athena Award for Excellence in Mentoring—Mentor & Protege Newsletter

"A concise, effective book filled with specific suggestions."—Education Today

"Clear, action-oriented."—KLIATT

Recommended by the National Association of Elementary School Principals

 Parent Council® Seleion

Parents' Choice Approved

About the Author

Peter L. Benson, Ph.D., has been president of Search Institute since 1985. He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of Denver, his M.A. in psychology from Yale, and his B.A. in psychology from Augustana College.

Judy Galbraith, M.A., has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling of the gifted. She has worked with and taught gifted children and teens, their parents, and their teachers for over 20 years. In 1983, she started Free Spirit Publishing, which specializes in Self-Help for Kids® and Self-Help for Teens® books and other learning materials.

Pamela Espeland has authored, coauthored, or edited over 200 books for Free Spirit Publishing on a variety of subjects. Pamela graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota and currently lives in Minneapolis.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; Rev Upd edition (March 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420309
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420301
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Child Care
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Parenting & Families > Parenting > Babies & Toddlers > Child Development
  • #43 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > Women's Health > Pregnancy & Childbirth

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Information, December 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids (Paperback)

As a clinically licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who has worked in a state agency for over 26 years with hard to handle youth, and also maintained a private psychotherapy practice for over 18 years, I must say that this is a VERY GOOD book. In over 20 years of teaching a weekly 2 hour parenting class I have seen many "parenting guides" come and go, and I'm not usually impressed by most of them. Many of the books simply reinforce parents need for emotionally leveraging the child into compliance. Short term looks great, long term BIG PRICETAGS. . .(like the kids won't come home for Christmas holidays, when they are 25 years old. . .etc) I think that too many of the "guides" teach parents to be RIGHT rather than CLOSE. In contrast to that position, the information contained in "What Kids Need to Succeed" is not only VERY pertinent to interacting with youth, but provides a basic outline of what needs are important to address with children/youth to help support them toward responsible, independent adulthood. I believe that the suggestions are sound in terms of being research based and from my experience certainly do yield great results. The approach is proactive and constructive, which is very reflective of what current research indicates works best. The conceptual foundation of encouragement and empowerment is (IMHO) the ONLY way to help children/youth INTEGRATE constructive, growth enhancing principles, rather than just reacting to demanding adults who require compliance. I liked the book a lot and will be adding it to the 4 other manuals that I use in teaching parenting skills. I would guess some parents will resist this approach because it requires them to give up trying to control and dominant the child and replace it with mentoring, friendship and alliance. . . All in all I really appreciate this book and it is required reading in all my classes now.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very inspiring book on such an important subject, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids (Paperback)

This is one of those books that makes you keep telling yourself, I knew that. What makes it so fabulous is that it puts all those things you know are right together in a very useful format. Just looking through it renews your confidence that you can do something to make a difference to children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parents How-To Guide, September 15, 2009

By 

K. CARLSON (Midwest USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids (Paperback)

Ever wanted to know what you could do as a parent, neighbor, church member, coach, or friend of a young person to help them grow up? This is the closest thing to a "how-to" guide in raising children backed up by years of research.

Practical advice for the "village" needed to raise succesful, healthy children! Fabulous book!