INTRODUCTION

"TA for Kids" is the first of a series to present Transactional

Analysis (TA) to boys and girls (and their important grown-ups) in

short words and simple phrases. Simplicity makes it easier to use TA

concepts everyday. I think children will find this useful. The text draws

on Dr. Eric Berne s "TA in Psychoanalysis," his best selling "Games

People Play" and Dr. Tom Harris "I m OK -- You re OK" as well as on

my experience in presenting these ideas to the members of my groups.

The series, geared to different age and grade levels, will enable pupils,

their mothers and fathers and their teachers to make sense to each

other.

"TA for Kids" was intended to be used by boys and girls in grades

III-VI, but others of all ages find that its clarity enhances their interest

in TA. Efforts are made to stroke the Kid and feed the Adult. The book

is written in such a way that it may be read by boys and girls or to

them by grown-ups. In my groups the children enjoyed listening.

Sometimes they would take turns reading aloud to each other. The tests

and exercises at the close of the chapters have excited and delighted the

youngsters and encouraged them to continue learning.

When the book was used with groups of children in the seven to

eleven range the effects were as I hoped. In each session the children

enjoyed listening to the chapter and participating in the post-chapter

tests. Individual failure is minimized and success guaranteed. Failures

are avoided since the Children can refer to each other to get correct

answers. A knowledge of TA concepts is thus acquired and is retained