Making Choices

Social Problem-Solving Skills for Children

Social work students and practitioners often complain about the dearth of literature on practice with children. Mark Fraser and his co-authors have filled this void, writing an exciting book about helping children make choices in the ways they express themselves. Extremely readable, Making Choices: Social Problem-Solving Skills for Children presents an approach to working with children in groups and in their classrooms. In a step-by-step manner, the authors instruct the reader how to organize a program and present it to groups; how to incorporate specific activities; and how to evaluate progress. Making Choices teaches children to think while acting and to develop alternatives to aggression and violence.
Alex Gitterman, EdD, Visiting Professor in Casework, University of Connecticut School of Social Work, Storrs, CT

Making Choices: Social Problem-Solving Skills for Children addresses a significant void in the field of social work. It makes a major contribution to a developing literature on intervention and prevention. This practical and insightful book will be one of the most beneficial and functional tools for social work practice.
James Herbert Williams, PhD, Associate Professor, George Warren Brown School of Social Work,
Washington University, St. Louis, MO

The Making Choices program worked very well for our students, particularly for two high-risk kids who established friendships with the role models. we could see that this improved their social skills and academic motivation. One boy arrived with a “gang” attitude and demeanor, but we no longer have any concerns whatsoever about him. We feel the Making Choices program had a major impact on his life. All of the kids who participated eagerly looked forward to each meeting. I think they had fun while learning valuable lessons.
Shari Z. Austin, LCSW, School Social Worker, Magna UT

My son was in the Making Choices program at school. He learned skills to recognize his feelings and to deal with other people in unfamiliar situations. the program has opened the door to communication between us. He is not totally open yet, but, hopefully, by returning next year he will be able to keep improving his skills.
Father of a participant,Utah

Making Choices: Social problem-solving skills to children and youths. Using knowledge gained from research indicating that strong social and cognitive skills reduce childhood aggression and impulsive behavior, the authors have designed seven curriculum units that lead young people through a step-by-step problem-solving process. This book is a significant contribution to research-based intervention efforts aimed at helping children and youths make decisions that lead to healthy lives.
Jeffrey M. Jenson, PhD, Professor and Director of Research, Graduate School of Social Work
University of Denver, Denver, CO; Co-Editor, Youth Violence