Whole Child, Whole Life
10 Ways to Help Kids Live, Learn, and Thrive
10 proven practices to help children thrive
In a world that seems to grow more unpredictable and challenging by the day, how can we increase learning and joy for children while offering them much-needed support?
Uncertainty and disruption have created a youth mental health crisis that requires all hands on deck. This urgently needed guidebook offers comprehensive and scientifically-grounded methods you can use to support young people’s well-being, no matter what obstacles they face. Written by an expert with decades of experience in education, youth development, and social work, this timely and timeless resource includes:
- 10 practices that can prevent and address mental health challenges and enable young people to thrive
- Strategies for taking care of kids while also taking care of yourself
- Information on the most pressing issues youth face, from nurturing healthy relationships to building community and belonging
- Key takeaways and reflection questions for individual use and group discussion as well as “Try Now” sections with tips and tools that can be used immediately
Providing essential information, practical advice, stories, and time-tested strategies to help kids live and learn, Whole Child, Whole Life is required reading for anyone who is working with, caring for, or raising young people.
“Are you someone who is raising or educating children and youth? If so, open this book. The words, charts, and drawings on these pages wonderfully capture the complexity about what we know works to support kids in today’s world and helpfully convey how we grownups might try to do better—for them.”
"Momentum for expanding social, emotional, mental, and physical health and development has grown to an all-time high across the country. No one can argue that this is one of the most critical fields in public education. Whole Child, Whole Life is an excellent ‘go-to’ resource for school districts that are committed to creating and sustaining social emotional learning programs as part of their strategic plans on behalf of the students who are learning and growing in their communities."
"In Whole Child, Whole Life, Stephanie Krauss has created a blueprint and set of strategies for what adults (parents, teachers, coaches, neighbors, etc.) can do to help children thrive in a rapidly changing world. This book is chockful of insights, practices, and everyday strategies that support the needs of children, from basic survival needs to nurturing their relationships, sense of belonging, and spiritual development. There are practical ideas here that will help any adult support the growth and flourishing of children, youth, and our communities."
"Stephanie Krauss demonstrates her grasp of the youth mental health crisis we face today and provides the guidance we need to cope with it. This compelling new book is for everyone who cares about young people—not just professionals—and I am so grateful she has contributed to our understanding with such focus and compassion."
"If you care for kids in any capacity, pick up this book right now. It's innovative, humane, solution-oriented, and both powerful and incredibly practical."
"Whole Child, Whole Life is a whole encyclopedia of useful ways for adults to understand and support whole children. From creating an in-depth social/emotional/physical/environmental portrait of a child to addressing key challenges, this book offers a treasure trove of strategies and approaches."
“Whole Child, Whole Life is a vivid and thoughtful recipe for adults interested in supporting children to realize their potential and achieve success. Krauss boldly describes the ways and means people and systems can utilize to personalize child development, meet children where they are, and give them what they need to flourish and to become both resilient and accomplished. This is an incredibly useful manual for caring adults who want to help our children thrive in these challenging times.”
“Whole Child, Whole Life is a book that speaks to the ‘wholeness’ not just of children, but to those of us who love, care for, and educate them. Practical strategies interwoven with moving personal narratives make this a must-read for anyone looking to expand their compassion, competency, and knowledge about what it takes to positively impact a future generation.”