Focuses on early childhood education for the hope of creating and sustaining a more civil society. The democratic life skills are: 1) Finding acceptance as a member of the group and as a worthy individual; 2) Expressing strong emotions in non-hurting ways; 3) Solving problems creatively, individually and in cooperation with others; 4) Accepting unique human qualities in others; 5) Thinking intelligently and ethically.

"NAEYC item #356".

A new education for civility -- Education for democracy : the progressive tradition -- Healthy self, healthy society : psychology of the democratic life skills -- Neuroscience and nurturing relationships -- Best practices in early childhood education : not just for young children -- Family-teacher partnerships : an early childhood approach -- Developmentally appropriate practice : in the classroom -- The encouraging classroom : using guidance with the group -- The guidance approach : guidance with individual children -- Guidance to include every child -- Prelude to part three -- Democratic life skill 1: finding acceptance as a member of the group and as a worthy individual -- Democratic life skill 2 : expressing strong emotions in non-hurting ways -- Democratic life skill 3 : solving problems creatively, independently and in cooperation with others -- Democratic life skill 4 : accepting unique human qualities in others -- Democratic life skill 5 :thinking intelligently and ethically -- Next steps : development, demonstration, and practice -- Appendix: Initial operationalization charts of the democratic life skills -- Glossary.