What Really Happens in School: A Guide to Your Child's Emotional, Social...

LaForge (Eating: Win the Food Wars; Tantrums: Secrets to Calming the Storm) delivers what so many parents need. From the introduction onward, she hammers home the message that parents must make the commitment to be involved in their children's schooling. Set up for easy browsing, the book consists of 40-page chapters on each grade from kindergarten through five, discussing in detail such subjects as what children are like, what they should know and what to expect both in the classroom and on the social scene. LaForge uses ample illustrations from her own experience as a mother of three as well as from other parents and a host of nationwide educators. Readers in need of quick answers can turn to the chapter titled ""All Grades: The Ten Best Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in School."" Number one is to ""encourage reading in any way you can,"" and LaForge offers concrete suggestions on how to do so based on children's ages and developmental milestones. A short chapter on ""Special Concerns"" gives pointers on dealing with giftedness, learning disabilities and a child's refusal to go to school. Lists of resource organizations, books and articles make this thoroughly argued volume even more serviceable. (Aug.)