Volume I features two essential Adlerian classics on child guidance for educators and psychotherapists. Part One contains the first English translation of Adler's book Individual Psychology in the Schools, initially published in 1929 in German, then in 1933 into Dutch, and later in 1936 into Spanish and Hebrew. Part Two contains The Education of Children, originally published in English in 1930, and newly edited for improved readability.

Individual Psychology in the Schools represents Adler's first attempt to introduce Individual Psychology into the schools at the Pedagogical Institute in Vienna. Although he addressed teachers in his lectures, he also hoped to gain the cooperation of psychiatrists, psychologists, and parents in the process of “improving the lot of children, teachers, and families.” Between 1924-1927, Adler attracted more than six hundred Viennese teachers to his course; these lectures became the basis for his book. By 1927, the city of Vienna would hire only elementary, secondary, and special education teachers who had graduated from the Pedgogical Institute. During this period, “anyone can learn anything” became his famous educational motto.

The Education of Children also consists of lecture material. Presenting abundant and detailed insight into personality development, the book was apparently daunting to parents but appealed to a wider range of professionals. Adler emphasized the influence of exaggerated, early feelings of inferiority that can trigger an unhealthy striving for power in a child, often resulting in overt or covert warfare with adults. He illuminated the range of weapons that the weaker or fearful child may employ, such as bed-wetting and eating problems. Adler encouraged parents to be empathic, understanding, and encouraging, suggesting that threats and punishment are useless and antagonizing. He offered advice on sex education, recommending that it be tailored to a child's interest and intellectual level. His primary advice to educators was to avoid discouraging any child at school. Typical of Adler's constant efforts to educate parents, teachers, and professionals, he attempted to democratize his contribution to psychology.

(Please note that Individual Psychology in the Schools and The Education of Children are also included in The Collected Clinical Works of Alfred Adler, Volume 12: Education for Prevention.)

For practical, creative applications of Adler's child guidance principles, we highly recommend Volume II, The Work of an Adlerian Psychologist in the Schools, by Anthony Bruck.