Me, Myself and I: How Children Build Their Sense of Self : 18 to 36 Months (Goddard Parenting Guides)

Offers advice to parents on how to enhance a child's emotional development by encouraging playtime and stressing the importance of nurturing to stimulate cognitive growth

Pruett (The Nurturing Father), a clinical psychiatrist at Yale University's Child Study Center, takes an in-depth look at the emotional development of the 18- to 36-month-old. During this age period, a child's cognitive and emotional faculties develop surprisingly quickly; nurturing parents especially matter in this phase, when children are so receptive to parental guidance. Emphasizing that it's the way parents "nurture nature" that counts, Pruett makes the compelling case that emotions drive learning. The author concentrates on how a positive emotional life enhances brain development, encourages parents to give their children love and positive experiences and stresses the importance of play in a child's life. Pruett maintains that the most crucial milestones a child mastersAsuch as learning to trust and to resolve conflicts and developing curiosity, confidence and contentmentAare emotional rather than physical. Incorporating recent research, his text is breezy and anecdotal, with a parent-friendly tone. Pruett underscores the importance of constant, nurturing caregivers and includes a sensible discussion of early child-care issues. This is a thorough and sensitive celebration of a young child's emotional life, clearly defining the critical links between the way children learn and how they feel about themselves and the world. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

These Goddard parenting guides, written for the educated parent, report recent research on the functioning of the brain and the integration of emotional, physical, mental, and social growth. When new findings contradict old theories, the authors separate fact from fad. While each book does give concrete suggestions on what to do at various ages, the emphasis is on the developmental point in the child's life at a particular time. The Rameys, both psychology professors at the University of Alabama, describe seven principles essential to good parenting, culled from years of research. They take pains to explain why punishment is detrimental to babies. Pruett, a professor of child psychiatry at Yale's Child Study Center, also describes how to set limits for toddlers in his discussion of the tremendous development that occurs between 18 months and three years. Each book takes a careful look at good day-care solutions and encourages parents to relax and enjoy their children. The authors recognize that new parents may sometimes feel awkward interacting with their small children, and both books demonstrate how important that personal contact is. The series will continue with issues of concern to parents of three- to eight-year-olds, also written by the Rameys. Both books are recommended for public and academic libraries.AMargaret Cardwell, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.