The Preschool Years

Rating:
Summary: The best book I've seen on preschoolers
Review: I bought several books at once on 3 year olds or preschoolers and this was the only one worth a flip. All the others I read in one sitting (like 1/2 an hour) and put on the shelf. I probably will not pick them up again. But this one I have kept on my nightstand for reference again and again.

Its value lies in the fact that most topics are covered fairly in-depth. From what's available out there, you'd think preschool years were relatively trouble free and easy to handle for parents. The other books I've seen are so short and give these shallow, pat answers to everything. This book seemed to examine subjects from more than one angle and offer more than one strategy. It also relies heavily on case-studies and real-life examples.

Rating:
Summary: The best book I've seen on preschoolers
Review: I bought several books at once on 3 year olds or preschoolers and this was the only one worth a flip. All the others I read in one sitting (like 1/2 an hour) and put on the shelf. I probably will not pick them up again. But this one I have kept on my nightstand for reference again and again.

Its value lies in the fact that most topics are covered fairly in-depth. From what's available out there, you'd think preschool years were relatively trouble free and easy to handle for parents. The other books I've seen are so short and give these shallow, pat answers to everything. This book seemed to examine subjects from more than one angle and offer more than one strategy. It also relies heavily on case-studies and real-life examples.

Rating:
Summary: Among the best--you can't go wrong buying this book!
Review: I've read a lot of parenting books and this is one of the best. Each topic is covered in depth from several angles:
--what is known from research on the topic
--suggested strategies and reasons for using these strategies
--variations and additional suggestions made by parents

I appreciate the nuanced, balanced, kind, sane world view as well. I have a lot of respect for what is in this book, in part based on what is NOT in it. For example, disciplinary strategies are neither the overly touchy feely stuff presented in books like "Becoming The Parent You Want To Be" or a hard authoritarian line that neglects to teach kids WHY treating others with respect and doing the right thing is important. There don't seem to be any crazy sidelines (ie. the wacky diet suggestions of the "What to Expect" series). Outdated notions of gender stereotyping are also refreshingly absent. This book is truly geared toward parents who need advice in a very neutral way, rather than assuming that mommy is running the show as so many books do.

If I could only keep one of the greater than one dozen parenting books I have, this would probably be it. I return to it again and again and find solid, workable and to-the-point advice on a host of issues.

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have for parents of children 2-5.
Review: If you can only buy one book to get you through your children's preschool-age years, this is it. This book is worth buying rather than borrowing because you'll want to refer back it to over and over. It covers discipline and child development, as well as the larger realms of family and school, in a manner that is accessible, reassuring and very informative. First-person narratives are sprinkled throughout, which makes it enjoyable to read. A very wide range of issues are discussed, in a tone that respects both the parent and child.