Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers Leader's Guide

PrefaceRaising kids of character is a daunting task, so there''s no better time to start than when they''re young!The first few years of life is the most critical period of growth and development. Infants start the process of trusting the love of Mom and Dad and God, toddlers begin experiencing freedom and responsibility, and children start understanding how to function in the real world. In short, this is the period in which a child''s soul is developed.As a parent, you are right at the center of that process. It''s impossible to overestimate how important a role you play in rearing your child. As the Bible teaches, God shows us how to trust in him "even at my mother''s breast" (Psalm 22:9). But most parents feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the job. With so many things to worry about, how do you know the real tasks and goals of parenting? Many moms and dads become discouraged or don''t know where to start. We wrote Raising Great Kids and developed this curriculum to help you.In this video curriculum-just as in the book-we offer you a structure for approaching parenting. We provide a road map for creating character in your children-the ability to function as God designed them to function in the world. The biblical principles set forth in the book apply to all ages and stages of kids, so you can use them as a guide for all the years you parent. This video curriculum, however, deals specifically with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. It addresses, in a practical, hands-on manner, situations and issues you encounter with children five years old and younger. Our goal is to help empower parents of these children-moms and dads like you-to become intentional and effective in your parenting.We''re glad you''ve decided to invest the time and effort in your children by working through Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers. We pray that God will use this study to help your parenting be the successful and worthwhile relationship he designed it to be. We appreciate your labors as a parent-and may God bless you!HENRY CLOUD, PH.D.JOHN TOWNSEND, PH.D.Laying the FoundationWhat Each Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers Kit Contains- Raising Great Kids-In their best-seller, Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer parents a balance between control and permissiveness, showing that truth and grace are not polar opposites. These skilled counselors and award-winning authors are allies in your most challenging and rewarding task: raising children with character who can withstand life''s rigors and make the most of its opportunities.- Raising Great Kids Video-This six-part video features the wisdom and insights of Drs. Cloud and Townsend, popular speakers and experts in the integration of Scripture and psychology. Interspersed are helpful real-life vignettes of parents and preschoolers.- Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers Leader''s Guide-This comprehensive, user-friendly guide provides all the information you need to lead a group through the six sessions of this course.- Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers Participant''s Guide-This guide provides valuable notes and practical exercises ("Learning Together" discussion starters, "Making It Happen" opportunities to consider how effective your parenting is, "Taking It Home" assignments, etc.) that will help participants apply the parenting principles they learn.Additional kits and copies of the Participant''s Guide are available from:Zondervan Publishing House5300 Patterson Avenue SEGrand Rapids, MI 49530Phone: 1-800-727-3480How This Leader''s Guide Is OrganizedThe Raising Great Kids course is divided into six sessions ranging in length from 45-55 minutes. This guide walks you through each session to help you prepare. You will also rely on this guide during the sessions, when you''ll find the pages reprinted from the Participant''s Guide very helpful.For each session, the leader will need:Leader''s GuideRaising Great Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John TownsendVideo plCloud, Henry is the author of 'Raising Great Kids for Parents of Preschoolers Leader's Guide' with ISBN 9780310232964 and ISBN 0310232961.