Most people consider encouragement as a supplementary aspect of their correctional efforts and do not recognize its pivotal significance. New methods are needed to stimulate and influence children, and few parents and teachers are acquainted with skills in the use of these methods. This book provides the material on the philosophy and skill of encouragement and is designed for parents and school personnel. Chapter One discusses development of the personality, while Chapter Two discusses a child's development. Chapter Three defines discouragement and delves into competition within the family. Chapter Four presents the principles of encouragement, methods used to encourage, and how to show faith in a child. Chapter Five explains encouragement for improving learning and social skills. How personal and social adjustment can be helped through encouragement are explained in Chapter Six, and how they can be tailored to each developmental level are detailed in Chapter Seven. Chapter Eight discusses the role of the group in encouragement and Chapter Nine presents deterrents to encouragement. Chapter Ten analyzes thirty examples provided by students in courses. The examples range from how not to encourage to how to successfully encourage. (Contains 22 references.) (JDM)