Resources
Education for Life Preparing Children to Meet the Challenges
by J. Donald Walters 214 pages, $10.95 (read online here for free)
from Library Journal review:
Walters believes that the major weakness of contemporary schooling is its failure to teach basic human skills like getting along with others and oneself, living healthfully, developing latent talents, and acquiring the tools of self-education. His curricular program, tested at the private Ananda's Living Wisdom School, stresses the importance of experience, physical well-being, the emotions, will power, and the intellect. He recommends organizing all subjects under five categories: Our Earth-Our Universe, Personal Development, Self-Expression and Communication, Understanding People, and Cooperation. While many of the ideas are familiar, his approach is innovative and his presentation effective. Parents, as well as educators, will be interested.
Calm and Compassionate Children A Handbook
by Susan Usha Dermond 240 pages, $15.95
Building on such inherent qualities as openheartedness and trust, parents and teachers can help children develop empathy and integrity as they grow and mature. From nature activities to conscious quiet time to tips on daily routines, Calm and Compassionate Children provides practical guidance to help grown-ups model behavior and suggests dozens of activities to foster children's joy, wonder, kindness, and love.
by Michael Nitai Deranja 134 pages, $12.95
Nitai Deranja, a parent and school teacher for over 30 years, explains some basic, non-sectarian tools and techniques that parents and educators can use to help children and teens cultivate positive values. Through the helpful discussion and hands-on exercises he provides, children and teens will have fun while learning universally esteemed values such as kindness, cheerfulness, courage, willingness, and self-control, among many others.
Written and Illustrated by Lorna Ann Knox 172 pages, $19.95
I Came From Joy! is a beautifully conceived, non-sectarian tool for developing a child's inner, spiritual life–ideal for parents, teachers, youth group leaders, and religious educators. Written for children age 5-11, but adaptable for all ages, I Came From Joy! offers fun and uplifting exercises that teach children values such as kindness, love, concentration, happiness, discrimination, sharing, patience, security, and how to be a success. This easy-to-use workbook features:
Lorna Ann Knox, BSN is a private school teacher, parent, and has been director of the Ananda Sunday School in Portland, Oregon for the past 6 years. She also teaches educational workshops for educators and parents. Prior to working with schools, Lorna was a health educator for 15 years and is a certified nurse. She is married and the mother of three children.
"At last, a workbook designed to awaken each child's unique sense of the divine as well as strengthen their relationship with God. Lorna Knox is a natural-born teacher who through her book I Came from Joy! brings the love and light of God to our children through her activities and spiritual affirmations." –
All the World is My Friend
$6.00
Contains words, music, and guitar chords to twenty songs by J. Donald Walters. Both lyrics and melodies express qualities such as calmness, joy, and determination.
"Music [is] a universal language. It isn’t just a matter of taste—there’s music that lifts your consciousness and music that debases it. It’s not necessary for music always to be calm or tranquil, but in the end it needs to uplift and take you to a higher state of consciousness." –J. Donald Walters
Approximately 3 hours. $14.99
Raising Compassionate Children by Susan Usha Dermond, author of Calm and Compassionate Children (see above) Nurturing Your Child’s Gifts by David Marshak, author of A Common Vision Conscious Parenting: How and When to Counter the Culture by Lorna Knox, author of Scary News: 12 Ways to Raise Joyful Children when the Headlines are Full of Fear (details...), and I Came from Joy (see above)
Raising Compassionate Children by Susan Usha Dermond, author of Calm and Compassionate Children (see above)
Nurturing Your Child’s Gifts by David Marshak, author of A Common Vision
Conscious Parenting: How and When to Counter the Culture by Lorna Knox, author of Scary News: 12 Ways to Raise Joyful Children when the Headlines are Full of Fear (details...), and I Came from Joy (see above)
