Using a story-oriented approach, this book describes and discusses real-life issues and conflicts encountered by parents and teachers of young children. Each scenario is followed by practical approaches to solving these problems. Part 1, "Today's Family Patterns and Discipline," addresses the impact family changes can have on children, and what challenges teachers can expect. Part 2, "Inclusive Education and Discipline," examines the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the challenges for both children and adults, accompanied by solutions and supportive suggestions. The last part, "Mistakes Adults Make," explores alternative approaches for mistakes easily made by adults when working with children. Issues under consideration in this book include: children dividing time between divorced parents; grandparents raising grandchildren; violence in schools; working with children who have disabilities; and helping young children learn to share. The book emphasizes that the impact on the child's self-esteem is the one guideline against which all planning for children should be measured. Each part of the book is followed by a bibliography. (BAC)