Joy Berry (born April 15, 1944) is an American writer and Child Development specialist.
She has written over 250 self-help books for kids that have sold over 85 million copies, and is known in the juvenile publishing and media industries as the "Inventor of Self-Help Books for Kids."
According to Joy, "I began writing self-help books for kids in order to fill a void in both educational institutions as well as the marketplace. My goal was to provide step-by-step, easy to understand information that could help kids become responsible for themselves, responsible in their relationship with others, and responsible in the way in which they relate to their environment."
As a child developmentalist, educator, and parenting expert, Joy worked from 1978 through 1990 to compile the Joy Berry Classics, which is the only comprehensive collection of self-help books that exists for children birth through 13 years of age. Since 1990 she has continued to update and contemporize the books, and has incorporated the Living Skills concepts from the books into story-based cross-media products including TV programs.
In 2004, Amnesty International and the United Nations recruited Joy to translate the Convention on the Rights of the Child into a self-help book for kids with related educational materials called Mine and Yours. Soon after, the American Red Cross recruited Joy to write two self-help books for kids with related educational materials that addressed the subjects of Human Dignity as put forth in International Humanitarian Law and Peaceful Conflict Resolution as put forth in the Geneva Conventions.
In 2013, the materials developed for Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the American Red Cross were updated and incorporated into a single edutainment program called Kids for Global Peace. The program features animated characters called The Junkroom Band and includes an interactive website, 36 two-minute music and dance television interstitials (that combine live action with animation), three electronic comic books, and three teachers guides that teach kids about Human Rights, Human Dignity, and Peaceful Conflict Resolution.
Video Joy Berry
History of Joy Berry
According to Scholastic Corporation, "Joy Berry knows kids." Parents and teachers who buy her books and kids who read them agree. Joy Berry's realistic understanding of kids and her pragmatic approach to educating and empowering them began with a childhood vow to one day "...figure out a way to give kids more control over their lives." Joy Berry's commitment was spawned by a childhood in which her parents defined successful parenting as getting children to embrace parental standards and goals.
Fourteen years later, armed with a California Lifetime Teaching Credential and 10 years of experience as a child caregiver, recreation director, camp counselor, and teacher aide, Joy Berry began a public school teaching career in which she taught the second, third, fourth, and fifth grades. She supplemented her teacher's salary by establishing and maintaining high quality after-school and summer programs. She also created a highly acclaimed preschool and daycare center. Several years later, she created a second preschool and daycare center that grew into one of the top three infant-through-early elementary private schools in Southern California.
Joy Berry's experience as a teacher and school administrator led her to conclude that in addition to academic subjects, children need to learn living skills. When she discovered that these materials were non-existent, she began filling the void by creating and developing self-help materials that speak directly to children.
In the 30 years Joy Berry has been an educator and author, she has been the best promoter of her products. She has successfully pitched buyers on behalf of her publishers, presented successfully at major sales conferences and industry meetings, and has been featured in several highly successful media tours. She has also spoken at sales conventions including American Booksellers Convention, BookExpo America, Christian Booksellers Association, London Book Fair, NAPTA, and Toy Fair. In addition, Joy Berry has spoken at education conventions such as American Library Association, National Education Association, National Association for the Education of Children, and National Parent Teacher Association and has been a consultant and script doctor for almost every major studio as well as other entities that produce media for kids.
Maps Joy Berry
BOOK SERIES WRITTEN BY JOY BERRY (known as the Joy Berry Classics)
The Joy Berry Classics collection of books is divided into seven series which are designed to address childhood issues at every age.
All books feature free downloads, which includes (but is not limited to): Tips for Parents, Read Along Soundtracks, and Original Music.
Teach Me About (TMA)
First Steps Toward Responsibility for children 1 to 3 years of age
Very young children often develop irresponsible behavior when they are not encouraged to assume responsibility for their actions and reactions. Parents often foster irresponsible behavior by perceiving children as helpless and incapable of assuming responsibility for their lives.
The purpose of the TMA books is to help parents begin the process of shifting the responsibility for a child's behavior from the parent to the child. These books accomplish this by helping children understand and handle appropriately the people and experiences that they encounter in their everyday lives.
(Books in the TMA series include: Mealtime, Bathtime, Getting Dressed, Bedtime, Travel, Potty Training, Illness, Danger, Boredom, Feelings, Crying, Security Objects, Mommies & Daddies, Brothers & Sisters, Grandparents, Relatives, Different Families, Pets, Friends, The Babysitter, The Doctor, The Dentist, Looking, Listening, Tasting, Smelling, Touching, My Body, Pretending, Day Care, School).
Let's Talk About (LTA)
Handling Emotions in Positive Ways for children 3 to 5 years of age
Raw emotions as well as emotionally charged situations are the source of a child's first inner conflicts and discomfort. This inner turmoil can manifest in unacceptable behavior that can be troublesome to parents as well as children.
The purpose of the LTA books is to educate young children regarding their emotions as well as the emotionally charged situations they encounter so that they can understand and handle these emotions and situations in positive instead of negative ways.
(Books is the LTA series include: Disobeying, Feeling Afraid, Feeling Worried, Feeling Frustrated, Feeling Defeated, Feeling Guilty, Feeling Sad, Feeling Lonely, Feeling Angry, Feeling Embarrassed, Feeling Inferior, Feeling Jealous, Feeling Disappointed, Feeling Cheated, Feeling Rejected, Being Away, Being Shy, New Situations, Getting Hurt, Getting Lost, Being Afraid to Fail, Being Patient, Being Good, Needing Attention, Saying "No," Accepting "No," Being Cooperative, Being Fair, Playing with Others, Being Helpful, Making Others Angry).
Help Me Be Good (HMBG)
Replacing Misbehavior with Good Behavior for children 5 to 7 years of age
The normal egocentricity of young children often leads to misbehavior that evokes unwanted responses from others. These unwanted responses can lead to a destructive cycle of negative action and reaction.
The purpose of the HMBG books is to help break the cycle of negative action and reaction. This is accomplished by each book defining a misbehavior; explaining the cause of the misbehavior; discussing the negative effects of the misbehavior; and offering suggestions for replacing the misbehavior with acceptable behavior.
(Books in the HMBG series include: Being Lazy, Being Forgetful, Being Careless, Being Messy, Being Wasteful, Overdoing It, Showing Off, Being a Bad Sport, Being Selfish, Being Greedy, Breaking Promises, Disobeying, Interrupting, Whining, Complaining, Throwing Tantrums, Teasing, Tattling, Gossiping, Being Rude, Snooping, Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Being Bullied, Being Bossy, Being Destructive, Fighting, Being Mean).
Living Skills (LS)
Basic Living Skills for children 7 to 9 years of age
Children are often ill-equipped to assume responsibility. Failure to function responsibly can result in a lack of meaning and productivity that can lead to dissatisfaction and regret.
The purpose of the LS books is to teach children the information and skills they need to live intelligent, responsible lives. This is accomplished by teaching children the personal skills they need to take care of themselves, the social skills they need to develop and maintain positive relationships, and the coping skills they need to relate to things in positive rather than negative ways.
(Books is the LS series include: Self Esteem, Human Sexuality, Health & Nutrition, Emotions, Rights & Responsibilities, Prejudice & Discrimination, Thinking & Learning, Decisions & Problems, Personal Goals, Manners, Communication, Disagreements, Friendships, Parent/Child Relationships, Sibling Relationships, Family Rules & Responsibilities, Family Arguments, Nightmares, Illness, Danger, Trauma, Time Management, Money Management, Consumerism, Family Law, School Law, Community Law, The Juvenile Justice System).
Survival skills (SS)
Fulfilling Expectations for children 9 to 11 years of age
Older children are often not prepared to fulfill the expectations that are required of them. Failure to do so often results in frustration and disappointment for children and the people around them.
The purpose of the SS books is to provide the information and skills that children need in order to follow through with expectations. This is accomplished by providing clear information and instructions regarding expectations like cleaning one's room, getting good grades, acting appropriately in public, and choosing the right peer group.
(Books is the SS series include: Good Grooming, Getting Dressed, Good Posture, Sleep and Rest, Cooking for Yourself, Being Prepared, Being Careful, Handling Emergencies, Table Etiquette, Telephone Etiquette, Writing Etiquette, Public Etiquette, Entertaining, Visiting, Peer Groups, Rules and Regulations, Boredom, Using Television, Using the Computer, Using the Internet, Playing Electronic Games, Homework & Schoolwork, Good Grades, Cleaning Your Room, Caring For Your Clothes, Doing Yard Work, Caring For Your Pet, Babysitting, Conservation, Earning an Allowance, Family Finances).
Winning Skills (WS)
Self-Actualization for young people 11 to 13 years of age
Preadolescent misbehavior is often a direct result of low self-esteem, lack of purpose or direction, pressure to succeed, traumatic experiences, unresolved problems, and/or boredom. Peer pressure is often the catalyst that turns these factors into misbehavior.
Dealing with preadolescent misbehavior via the shape-up-or-ship-out approach can be ineffectual because it deals with the symptoms rather than the problems. In order to make a substantial impact on preadolescent misbehavior it is imperative to resolve the issues that cause it.
The purpose of the WS books is to help young people overcome obstacles that prevent genuine happiness and success, get in control of their lives, and excel in every way possible.
(Books in the WS series include: You Can Overcome Fear, You Can Overcome Stress, You Can Handle Criticism & Rejection, You Can Handle Rude People, You Can Handle Tough Situations, you Can Get Rid of Bad Habits, You Can Be Smart, You Can Be Creative, You Can Be Assertive, You Can Be In Control, You Can Get Organized, You Can Achieve Goals, You Can Be Beautiful, You Can Be Liked, You Can Be Happy, You Can Be a Star, You Can Be a Winner, You Can Have a Great Future).
Good Answers to Tough Questions (GATQ)
Addressing Challenging Subjects for children of all ages
All children encounter, either directly or indirectly, difficult subjects and situations that can, if not handled properly, have a negative. Many adults are not equipped to help children handle appropriately the difficulties they experience.
The purpose of the GATQ books is to provide honest, unbiased answers to hard questions that can help children as well as adults turn negative experiences into positive ones. The books can also help parents, teachers, and counselors initiate therapeutic dialogues and provide insights that can lead to healing and growth.
(Books in the GATQ series include: Dependence and Separation, First Time Experiences, Separation, Pregnancy and Birth, Adoption, Divorce, Stepfamilies, Moving, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse, Physical Disabilities, Blindness, Deafness, Learning Disabilities, Mental Illness, Serious Illness, Abuse and Neglect, Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Trauma, Disasters, War, Loss, Death).
Other books written by Joy Berry
In addition to the Joy Berry Classics, Joy has also written the following books:
Mine and Yours (Human Rights for Kids)
So What's Wrong With Playing Video Games?
ACTIVITY BOOKS
- Can Make and Do (12 activity books)
- Relationship Builders (2 books about non-competitive games and activities)
- Sensational Seasons and Holidays (12 activity books)
- Dozens of Dynamite Things (12 activity books)
- Every Kids Guide to Saving the Earth (instructional and activity book)
PARENTING BOOKS
- Happily Everafter
- Helping Them Tame the Big Bad Wolves
- The Uncomplicated Guide to Becoming a Superparent
- Loving Your Child toward Spiritual and Emotional Maturity
- Keep Your Child Safe from Kidnapping
- Keep Your Child Safe from Sexual Abuse
- Keep Your Child Safe from Abuse and Neglect
- Raising Responsible Kids
Joy Berry in the Media
- Crains New York: Starting a business at an age when most folks are thinking retirement
- Sacramento Bee: Parents are not the only ones affected...
- Parenting.com: Time to Give Up On Santa?
- Univision: Potty TrainingArchived March 30, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. (in Spanish)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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