The First Years: A Parent & Caregiver's Guide to Helping Children Learn

Rating:
Summary: Building a life of confident learning...
Review: "Raising a child is the most important job you'll ever have." ~Rob Reiner

The First Years is a book that was created in conjunction with I Am Your Child, a national organization that focuses on raising public awareness about the importance of learning during the first three years of a child's life.

The contents include:

Getting to know me: birth to nine months
I can do it myself: 9-18 months
On my way: 18-36 months

During the first three years of a child's life there is so much more going on than just the physical/visual development. What is going on in a child's mind? Are they developing a healthy self-esteem and a positive attitude towards learning?

Are you sure your baby feels loved and secure? They discuss the myth about not picking up your infant when he/she cries too much. I have always wondered about this aspect, because I think it is natural for a mother to want to comfort an infant who is crying and it seems unnatural to leave a child crying for ages in a crib when you are who they depend on. This book also tells you that it is normal for babies to cry for certain periods of time during various stages.

Some of the highlights include: The advantages of Breast feeding, Establishing Routines, How Babies Communicate and a discussion about how you can encourage your baby to communicate with you through "self-talk."

I also enjoyed the section on: Why Babies Cry and what to do about it, Understanding your child's unique temperament, Teaching self-discipline, Language and Learning, Play Time, Childproofing the house, The stage from crawling to walking and how to deal with crib-climbers.

Questions they answer include:

What causes colic and what is the normal duration of crying?
When do babies begin talking?
Why do children bite?
How can I prevent tantrums?
How do you provide your child with the best nutrition?
How often should you visit the doctor?
Will you ever get enough sleep again?
What do I do when my baby won't stop crying?
Is baby talk ok?

This guide will encourage you to make the most of those first few years that can be so crucial to your child's development. Knowing about each stage of our baby's development makes it a bit easier to meet your baby's needs.

Rating:
Summary: Great book & resource!
Review: I just looked at this book while attending a national conference on child development. This would make a great gift for new or expectant parents. It is well wriiten and very easy to follow.