This volume presents the results of the Flourishing Children Project. The study addressed gaps in the research on indicators of positive development of adolescents. Such indicators are essential for the balanced and scientifically sound study of adolescents. Yet measures of many aspects of flourishing are not available, and when they do exist, they are rarely measured in a developmentally appropriate manner for adolescents. In addition, they are often too long for program evaluations and surveys, have not been tested on diverse populations, nor carefully validated as predictors of positive outcomes. The Flourishing Children Project undertook the development of scales for adolescents ages 12-17 for 19 aspects of flourishing covering six domains: flourishing in school and work, personal flourishing, flourishing in relationships, relationship skills, helping others to flourish, and environmental stewardship. This volume describes the four-stage process of developing the scales, including: Reviewing the literature for extant measures for items to test and synthesizing the existing research into consensus definitions for each construct; conducting cognitive testing of items with adolescents and their parents; pilot testing the items; and conducting psychometric analyses.

This volume responds to the intense concern for and interest in identifying and measuring what matters for happy, healthy children who grow to be compassionate, responsible adults. And although innumerable organizations undertake efforts aimed at positive youth development, this book takes the first step toward developing a system of national indicators that can be used to monitor positive behaviors and attitudes for children at the national level, in communities, and in programs.

The Nurtured Heart Approach was originally designed to help families help their difficult children better adapt to school and family life. During years of using this approach with these children, however, I discovered that it works beautifully to foster inner strength, higher achievement, happiness, security and exemplary conduct in every child. It is not just another positive approach to parenting designed to improve behavior. Rather, it's an approach to greatness, a method of recognizing and appreciating the gifts each child possesses. Parents who had been desperate to find something that worked and adopted the Nurtured Heart Approach with their difficult child typically also used the approach with their other children, because it is just easier that way. They would then report similar, extraordinary results: they described their other children as flourishing beyond anything they had ever seen or experienced before. This approach gives parents enormous power to help every child navigate an ever more complex world with confidence and an inner compass of greatness. Children now more than ever need a real inheritance, not monetary wealth, but inner wealth. We can no longer just occasionally urge our children to feel self-worth, to make better choices and to have a better attitude. A more proactive approach is needed. We have to give them irrefutable evidence, in real time, that they are successful ... right here and right now!

This book is a sequel to The Aware Baby, and has now been translated into French, German, Hebrew, and Italian. It focuses on the development and emotional needs of children up to eight years of age, and provides insights to help you understand your child, maintain a close, loving relationship, and cope with day-to-day problems. It will also give you guidelines for helping your child reach his or her highest potential. If you have not read The Aware Baby, and are not yet practicing Aware Parenting, Helping Young Children Flourish can profoundly shift your relationship with your child. The topics covered include crying and raging, dealing with childhood fears, stimulation and learning, reasons for "misbehavior, " alternatives to punishments and rewards, sibling rivalry, eating problems, the emotional aspects of illnesses and injuries, bedtime problems, and hyperactivity.

Two common temptations lure us away from abundant living—withdrawing into safety or grasping for power. True flourishing, says Andy Crouch, travels down an unexpected path—being both strong and weak. Regardless of your stage or role in life, here is a way of love and risk so that we all, even the most vulnerable, can flourish.

What makes children happy, confident and successful? How can you help a child to flourish? Their environment is important, but the real difference is in your hands – every adult has the tools to help a child achieve psychological wellbeing. This book provides a practical model for helping children flourish and achieve their personal potential in every area of their lives. Drawing on ideas from positive psychology and child development theory, the model explores the five key areas of wellbeing: personal strengths, emotional wellbeing, positive communication, learning strengths, and resilience. Practical activities are included for each area, and a questionnaire provides an assessment to enable you to keep track of progress. Suitable for use with children aged 3–11, this step-by-step guide is an ideal resource for professionals working with children, including counsellors, social workers, teachers, and psychotherapists, as well as parents.

Flourishing in the First Five Years: Connecting Mind, Brain, and Education Research to the Development of Young Children will take you on a fascinating journey of discovery about what you can do to experience the thrill of helping all young children realize more of their unique potential. Packed with practical strategies and inspiring research about how learning changes the brain this book will empower you with ideas you can apply right away that can positively change children s lives forever."