Right from Birth : Building Your Child's Foundation for Life

A concise, up-to-the-minute guide for parents on what the latest research says--and doesn't say--about enhancing child development and early learning in the critical first 18 months of life. Internationally renowned child development experts Dr. Craig Ramey and Dr. Sharon Ramey have written a readable, informative book that tells parents what works and what counts in raising good-natured, capable, confident, caring, and accomplished children right from birth.

A helpful breakdown of the most important developmental aspects ofeach growth stage, this parenting guide offers Seven Essentials as "Guiding Principles to Help Your Baby Everyday." The implicit message contained in this guide: Relax and enjoy your children. A 1999 Parents' Choice® Approval. (Parents' Choice®) -- From Parents' Choice®

Gold Award winner, 1999 National Parenting Publications Awards - Parenting Resources -- National Parenting Publications Awards, June 1999

What does the new research on brain development and early learning really say - and not say? In this wonderful new book, Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey, well-known child development researchers, help parents separate fact facts from fads and give solid, easy-to-read-and-understand advice on parenting practices that make a difference over the long-term.

Their focus is on the child's total development - how growth, learning, communication and social and emotional development interact and depend on one another. "The more you know about how infants and young children develop," they write, "the more you understand why some parenting practices are more effective than others in producing a good-natured, socially responsive, creative, and accomplished child."

To help you put this knowledge to use, the authors have identified "Seven Essentials" that children need in their everyday lives, and they show you month-by-month how to provide activities to put these into practice. Even for the busiest parent, the activities are easy to do, fun to learn and don't require buying anything. Equally important, they can be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time. And while this book covers birth to 18 months, the "Essentials" are applicable as children move beyond toddlerhood.

The authors' down-to-earth approach is reflected in their advice to parents about the use of the suggested activities: "Personalize them. Let them reflect your own interests, personality, culture, values and traditions. Be creative. Be relaxed. Rest assured you can and will be the best kind of parent you always have dreamed of being." -- Work and Family Life, March, 1999