Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers. That's an important job--and this popular, highly respected guidebook makes it much easier. Already a trusted resource for thousands of families, this lively book gives parents of children from age 3 through young adulthood proven strategies for teaching children the life skills they'll need to live as independently as possible. Parents will start with a reader-friendly overview of the basics of teaching and then go deeper with a step-by-step guide to teaching seven different types of skills: get-ready, self-help, toilet training, play, self-care, home-care, and information gathering skills. In this fourth edition, they'll also find helpful updates and additions, such as

• an expanded section on managing behavior problems, including guidance on identifying the problems, examining behavior, initiating a behavior management program, and encouraging alternative behaviors
• a new chapter on technology that reflects recent advances and shows how to benefit from using email, instant messaging, Internet communities, search engines, and software
• a new chapter on strengthening partnerships with other teachers in the child's life during IEP meetings, through classroom volunteer work, and in everyday communication with them
• a companion website with downloadable blank forms from the book and more Internet resources, such as links to useful web pages

Based on years of work with parents and laced with humor, helpful illustrations, and vignettes, this is a must-have resource for families and all professionals who work with them.

About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Introduction

I. Basics of Teaching (STEPS TO�)

Setting Out
Targeting a Skill
Establishing Steps
Picking Rewards
Setting the Stage
Teaching
Observing Progress and Troubleshooting

II. Skill Teaching

Get-Ready Skills
Self-Help Skills
Toilet Training
Play Skills
Independent Living: Self-Care Skills
Independent Living: Home-Care Skills
Independent Living: Functional Academic Skills

III. Behavior Problem Management

Identifying Behavior Problems
Examining Behavior
Beginning a Behavior Management Program: Part One: Consequences
Beginning a Behavior Management Program: Part Two: Antecedents and Alternative Behaviors

IV. Supporting Independence

Computing--Now It's Personal
Partnership With Your Child's Other Teachers

Appendices
Get-Ready Skills
Self-Help Skills Inventory
Self-Help Skills Programs
Play Skills Programs
Functional Academic Skills Programs
Index