The Early School Years (age 6-8)looks at the particular challenges and joys of life with a child whose physical, cognitive and social skills are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For some kids these are "easy" years, yet a lot is going on under the surface. Issues addressed include living with your six- to eight-year-old (helping kids communicate; chores and allowances; instilling responsibility; encouraging independence), your child in the widening world of school and friends; growing pains (school trouble; lying and cheating; tantrums); and the continuing value and kinds of play. The Steps and Stages series blends expert advice and parental experience to tackle the typical - but by no means simple - challenges and milestones you and your child will face at each stage of development. Chock full of anecdotes, tips and resources, these unique books address the everyday, practical issues of raising kides - issues that all parents wonder about, but few parenting guides discuss. (1998)

Holly Bennett is the author of multiple young adult novels, all published by Orca Books. Her writing draws from fantasy and mythology but is always grounded in the characters and relationships in the stories. Holly worked for many years as an editor with Today's Parent magazine and is now the editor of Education Canada, as well as a freelance writer and editor. Born in Montreal, Holly now lives in Peterborough, Ontario, with her family. When she tears herself away from the computer, she enjoys singing in choirs, yoga, being in nature, musical get-togethers with friends and family, hanging out with her three grown sons, and of course reading. For more information, visit www.hollybennett.ca.

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TERESA PITMAN is a childbirth educator, doula, and the executive director of La Leche League Canada. She has written extensively about pregnancy and childbirth for such publications as Great Expectations and Today's Parent.

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