The Emotional Problems of Normal Children: How Parents Can Understand and Help

Offers readers a new way to understand and solve emotional problems of children, from preschool to adolescence, discussing planned communication, parental evaluation, effective discipline, and other topics

Turecki, author of The Difficult Child , and Wernick, a writer specializing in family and medical issues, offer reassuring advice for parents of children age four and over: what may seem to be severe emotional disturbance in a child may be perfectly normal. Which doesn't mean that there aren't things that parents can and should do to help. Excessive shyness, aggression, hyperactivity, fearfulness, lack of self-esteem and myriad other "problems" may actually be the child's way of adapting to certain situations--manifestations of the child's temperament type. There are exceptions, however, and the authors give examples of behavior that warrants professional help (usually behavior that is inconsistent with the child's personality). By learning as much about their children's temperaments as possible, parents can help their children by encouraging them to communicate honestly and to assert their individual personalities in a more positive manner. There are also chapters on effective discipline, professional help, boosting children's self-image, and school problems. Filled with case studies from Turecki's practice, this book is important reading for worried parents and professionals. First serial to Ladies ' Home Journal and Family Circle.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Turecki, a child and family psychiatrist who heads New York City's Difficult Child Center, covers several examples of children whose emotional difficulties, despite frequently causing them to "act up" not only at home but at school, can be coped with and eventually improved, if not alleviated. And he comes right out with a philosophy that's respectful to children, so often the missing ingredient in heavy-handed parenting books. Turecki and Wernick also demonstrate how the "planned discussion" can work in approaching the child's objectionable behavior, the first step toward changing it. Emotional Problems contains a special section on school problems--including ADHD, formerly known as hyperactivity--and how to determine when professional help is needed. Good for parents who don't quite need a book about "problem kids." Jo Peer-Haas

Turecki's first parenting guide, The Dif ficult Child ( LJ 10/15/85), sold more than 200,000 copies. Here, he counsels parents on dealing with the everyday emotional problems of normal kids.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.