To provide youth with a genuine sense of self-worth and belonging, parents, educators, and other caregivers must show up authentically in the world. In For Real, Alexander Kopelman, co-founder and CEO of Children’s Arts Guild in New York, lays out a creative, compassionate pathway for guiding children to explore their true selves, so that they flourish in the art of growing up.

The process starts with you. Kopelman examines how, through socialization, we learn bias and begin to suppress parts of ourselves―whether because we like the color purple or felt shamed when we cried. He explores crucial questions that influence development, such as what are “boys’ toys” and “girls’ toys,” and who gets to decide? What is identity and how do individuals express it? With original research, conversations with the country’s most respected psychologists and experts on childhood, and interviews with the kids themselves, For Real presents a framework for unpacking these messages and discovering what authenticity means to you. Through Kopelman’s unique, child-centered approach, you learn how you and the children in your sphere can dynamically engage with art, poetry, and journaling prompts as a path to self-discovery. How to make a celestial map of your inner universe, and how to get to know yourself better by taking a selfie, are two of many creative tools that help adults and children alike author their own stories.

In the post-pandemic classroom, being able to read and follow an inner compass has never been more vital, nor has supporting kids in discovering who they are and growing into the people they want to be. In For Real, Kopelman offers a hopeful, inspiring roadmap for guiding the next generation toward self-understanding, genuine belonging, and authenticity―and reminds us that we, as caregivers and educators, are essential parts of that journey.

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