Raising Smart Kids For Dummies
by Marlene Targ Brill
Raising Smart Kids For Dummies
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
www.wiley.com
Copyright 2003 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2003101877
ISBN: 0-7645-1765-1
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1B/RZ/QV/QT/IN
About the Author
Marlene Targ Brill is an author, early childhood specialist, and special educator. More important, she is the mother of a great kid. Her background of multiple degrees in education, 13 years on the front lines of teaching and training other teachers, and practical experience on the home front contribute to the parenting focus and practical suggestions you find in this book.
Marlene has written 50 books and countless articles for readers of all ages. Her Keys to Parenting a Child with Autism has received a Parents Choice Award so she knows how to make raising smart kids a readable topic and how important a job parenting can be.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to all parents who journey down the awesome parenting road, and to their smart children, who will grow up just fine. I also want to thank my hubby, Richard, and daughter, Alison, for giving me the wonderful and wacky family experiences that helped me write this book.
Authors Acknowledgments
Every book has a story, and this one involves lots of helpful people. I never would have embarked on this book without the professional guidance of my agent, Grace Freedson; prodding of my hubby, Richard; and support from my experienced writers group: Charlotte Herman, Carolyn Crimi, Mary Jane Miller, Fay Robinson, and Mary Monsell.
Once into the book, countless folks from various areas lent their expertise: Iris Gimbel, speech and language; Lucy Klocksin, reading; Janet Emmerman, science; Robin Campbell, physical fitness; and Arlene Erlbach, special education. Special thanks go to my teen consultants: Alison Brill (yep, my kid!), Rebecca Targ, and Scott Klocksin. Thanks to Tere Drenth, the editor who fine-tuned the manuscript. I am indebted to you all and to the parents, including my own, who gave me inspiration for this book.
Publishers Acknowledgments
Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/ .
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editors: Tere Drenth, Marcia Johnson
Acquisitions Editor: Pam Mourouzis, Norm Crampton
Acquisitions Coordinator: Holly Grimes
Technical Editor: Sue Drenth
Editorial Manager: Michelle Hacker
Editorial Assistant: Elizabeth Rea
Cover Photos: Philip James Corwin/CORBIS
Cartoons: Rich Tennant, www.the5thwave.com
Production
Project Coordinator: Dale White
Layout and Graphics: Seth Conley, Michael Kruzil, Tiffany Muth
Proofreaders: Dave Faust, John Greenough, Brian Walls, TECHBOOKS Production Services
Indexer: TECHBOOKS Production Services
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies
Kristin A. Cocks, Product Development Director, Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring, Vice President and Publisher, Travel
Brice Gosnell, Publishing Director, Travel
Suzanne Jannetta, Editorial Director, Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Introduction
C ongratulations! Youre taking a giant leap into the world of Raising Smart Kids For Dummies. Youre smart enough to know that being a parent means more than cleaning bottoms and wiping tears: You want highachieving kids.
Parenting can be incredibly fun. But sharpening minds also brings more challenges than climbing Mt. Everest. Sometimes, the responsibility of increasing your kids brain cells can be overwhelming. Thats where