by Jeffrey S. Allen, M.Ed. and Roger J. Klein, Psy.D.
$23.95. CD is $15.95.

Beyond reviewing the causes of stress, this book equips children ages 5 to 13 years old with tools to overcome anxiety through the use of music, muscle relaxation, and storytelling to promote learning, imagination, and self-esteem. This fully researched program is used across the country by teachers, counselors, parents, and medical professionals as a preventive tool and intervention strategy. The 66 scripts focus on the following themes: R=Releasing Tension, E=Enjoying Life, L=Learning, A=Appreciating Others, X=X-panding Your Knowledge. The book is easy to use and ncludes follow-up activities.
CD AVAILABLE!
Ready...Set...Release!, music and relaxation exercises for children. The exercises use music, breathing, muscle relaxation and active imagination to soothe and release tension. Researched and proven effective for children from preschool to middle school. 74 minutes.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Roger Klein has worked with children and parents since entering the field of education in 1971. His background includes classroom teaching, coaching and school psychology. He is currently working part-time as a school psychologist in Watertown, WI, and the remaining time as a private practice clinical psychologist. Roger has presented the concepts of using music, relaxation and active imagination at the national, state and local levels. He has a M.A. degree in counseling and an educational specialists degree in school psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. He completed his doctorate degree in clinical psychology with special emphasis in children and adolescents at the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology.

Jeffrey Allen has been a special education, elementary education teacher and school administrator in Wisconsin since 1975. He is presently the principal of a pre-K to 6 elementary school. Jeffrey has both an undergraduate and graduate degree in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has written and directed numerous plays, musicals and video productions for children. He has also contributed articles and photographs in local and national professional publications. For the past 10 years, he has organized and facilitated support groups for families experiencing death, divorce or separation. In addition, Allen serves as a coordinator for Odyssey of the Mind, the "Olympics" of creativity for children.

COMMENTS FROM REVIEWERS

"This is an outstanding, innovative resource for teaching relaxation skills and building self-esteem. This comprehensive, research-based program picks up where others leave off by providing specific, skill-based relaxation activities and, most importantly, a systematic process for learning to apply these skills in many settings."
--Rick Clark, Psy.D., Psychologist, St. Francis Children's Center, Milwaukee, WI.

"...teaches fun strategies for relaxation which can be used in the home and classroom to raise and teach a happy achieving child."
--Dr. Sylvia Rimm, Psychologist, Author, Columnist, "NBC Today Show" guest

"...by teaching our students how to handle stress and pressure in a positive way, we have strengthened their confidence and self esteem in a gentle and caring fashion. The more instilled this technique becomes, the more children will always have this skills to fall back on."
--Kathy Wickman, Teacher

"This is not just a program to do in the classroom, but it also includes the parents and has the potential to touch the family."
--Dr. Andy Pojman, Licensed Psychologist

"Your work combined with our research helped us find that relaxation and imagination helped improve blood glucose control in adolescents with diabetes..."
--Beth Alseth, R.N., Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

"I can think of many uses for this program in a nursing/medical practice. Many times children are frightened in situations where they are not in control of their fate. Using relaxation would reduce anxiety and help them gain control."
--Lee Monahan, R.N., Ph.D., Professor, Cardinal Stritch University

CONTENTS

Part 1-Stress, Relaxation, and the Ready, Set, R.E.L.A.X. Program Stress and Our Children

Effects of Stress
Methods of Relaxation
Intervention Strategies
Ready, Set, R.E.L.A.X. Research
Using the Ready, Set, R.E.L.A.X. Program