What started out with only local distribution and a small press run for the children's book Painting for Peace in Ferguson has turned into a much bigger year than anyone anticipated. Launched on February 21, 2015, not only was it selected to represent the state of Missouri at Library of Congress' National Book Festival, it also received an IPPY Outstanding Book of the Year award beating out more than 6,000 other entries. Appearing on the local, indie book best-seller list for

By Kurt Greenbaum “We want our children to have faith in the bedrock institutions of our country. But, they also must learn that like the humans that comprise them, institutions and systems are imperfect.” From a column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Nov. 26, 2014, by parenting writer Aisha Sultan. PBS Parents suggests that families can go further than seeking out volunteer opportunities to help their community. They can actively work to expose children to issues involving

By Kurt Greenbaum In the aftermath of events that make your children question some of their most basic needs and personal safety, your children will surely have questions - some that they share and others they internalize - about their wellbeing, that of their family and friends, the events the precipitated the unrest and what's to come. Just as before, be sure to reassure children that they are safe, and that schools are a safe place for them to be. In fact, your school has

By: Kurt Greenbaum Psychologists who deal with children and schools agree on the one most important thing parents must do during difficult times: Reassure children that they are safe and cared for. The National Association of School Psychologists counsels parents to “explain that all feelings are OK when a tragedy occurs. Let children talk about their feelings, help put them into perspective, and assist them in expressing these feelings appropriately.” The strategy for talkin