4
About the Authors
Verdene Ryder is a nationally
recognized author and family life specialist.
In addition to authoring Parents and Their
Children, she is also the author of the popular
family living texts Contemporary Living and
Human Sexuality: Responsible Life Choices.
Added to her written accomplishments are
several booklets and a newspaper column for
teens. She is often consulted in interviews on
radio and TV relating to family life issues.
Mrs. Ryder has extensive teaching experience
at both the high school and university levels.
She is a member of several professional
organizations and has received numerous
academic and leadership awards. A
scholarship has been named in Mrs. Ryder’s
honor to enable women in financial need to
attend college.
With her extensive teaching experience
at Northwestern State University of
Louisiana, Texas A & M at Commerce, and
the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville;
Dr. Celia A. Decker brings a wealth of
background information in authoring Parents
and Their Children. In addition to teaching
courses in early childhood education,
child development, and family relations,
Dr. Decker has also been a key presenter
on many early childhood topics at over 30
state, regional, and national professional-
association conferences, including the
National Association for the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC). Throughout her
career, Dr. Decker has also done consultation
work for Head Start and military child care
programs. Along with authoring this text
and Children: The Early Years, she and her
husband, Dr. John R. Decker, wrote Planning
and Administering Early Childhood Programs.