Recommended Books
Each of the books we recommend are those highlighted by our faculty for their utility and insights.
Over the past years MMS has hosted many of the nation’s foremost speakers on issues from family dynamics, raising responsible children, learning to say “No,” the biology of learning, relationships between fathers and their children, and a great deal more. This year the MMS Parent association will be hosting two world renowned speakers.
Guest Speaker September 22, 2010 6:30-8:30 PM
Nathan Dungan founder of Share, Save, Spend, a website dedicated to financial literacy.
Guest Speaker October 18, 2010 6:30-8:30 PM
Michael Thompson who studies and writes prolifically on the social lives of children.
Prodigal Sons and Material Girls: How Not to Be Your Child’s ATM, Nathan Dungan
In today’s possession-crazed society, the average child has unrealistic expectations about money. From the preschooler who begs for another toy to the college student who graduates buried in $10,000 of credit card debt, today’s youth lack a sense of financial responsibility. In fact, children today spend FIVE times more than their paents did at the same age (and that’s adjusted for inflation).
This book has been written to help parents influence and shape their child’s financial habits. Within this book, Nathan shares the numerous lessons he’s learned as a longtime financial advisor. By blending real-world stories with the tools and techniques needed to teach children the real value of money, Nathan offers a practical road map for instilling your children with a sense of financial responsibility that will last a lifetime.
"Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children"
"The stories in this book come from many perspectives - those of therapists, educators, and parents. The wise, kind authors give us a fresh and cogent analysis of this critically important issue. I recommend Best Friends, Worst Enemies to all those who work with and love kids."
- Mary Pipher, Ph.D., Author of Reviving Ophelia
"Thompson's unique and deep understanding of why friendship is a crucial aspect of healthy development makes this a groundbreaking book a 'best friend' and 'must-read' for every parent, teacher, and counselor."
- Robie H. Harris, Author of It's Perfectly Normal
This book is a gem, and we badly need a gem of a book on this topic. Now, at last, we have a book that brings parents, teachers, and all of us who are concerned about children the knowledge we need on this both heart-wrenching and confusing topic. Warmly written, this book draws upon extensive research, but presents its findings simply and directly. This book is both practical and moving, both research-based and filled with stories, both up-to-date and rooted in old-fashioned wisdom, both informative and exciting. This is an enormously helpful book, which you will enjoy reading!"
- Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., Author of Driven to Distraction, Connect, and Human Moments
"Michael Thompson has hit another home run. Best Friends, Worst Enemies does everyone a tremendous service by helping parents and educators understand more about a child's social relationships-what we think kids ought to innately know. Read this book."
- Dr. Ron Taffel, Author of The Second Family: How Adolescent Power is Challenging the American Family and Nuturing Good Children Now
-Click here for more of Michael Thompson's Books-
A Whole New Mind: Daniel Pink Mindset: Carol Dweck
The Montessori Method: Maria Montessori The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Wendy Mogel
For Teachers
Understanding the Digital Generation: Teaching and Learning in the New Digital Landscape:
Ian Jukes, Ted McCain, and Lee Crockett
Teaching Digital Natives: Marc Prensky
