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Who's Calling the Shots?: How to Respond Effectively
to Children's Fascination With War Play and War Toys
by Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Diane E. Levin
- This is an
INCREDIBLE book! I think EVERYONE should read it! It
will make you see things in a whole new light. Not
just about war play, this book dives into even
deeper issues, including the media's marketing to
children, the importance of dramatic play to our
children's healthy development, and much more! I
have written to Oprah and Rosie O'Donnell repeatedly
as well as every major news show, to do a story on
this book and what it has to say! I feel THAT
strongly about it!
This book talks about how its natural for kids to
play war games...there can be a level of healthiness
to it. This book gives you dos and don'ts for war
play and explains why this is such an ever-present
theme in young children's play. I also found it
fascinating to read the information on how this kind
of play has evolved over time. The authors explain
why the war play of today is very different from the
war play of our parents and grandparents. I HIGHLY
recommend this book to everyone!!
Beyond the
Rainbow Bridge : Nurturing Our Children from Birth to
Seven
by Barbara
Patterson
I
am very intrigued by Waldorf education, so this book was
something I had to read, since it's a modern Waldorf
classic. And even if you are not interested in Waldorf,
you will find many jewels of wisdom in this book. I
don't agree with all things Waldorf, and there are a
couple things in this book that are not as important to
me...but there are SOOOO many things that are absolutely
wonderful in this book! It talks about a different way
of looking at children and childhood and learning how
important it is to really encourage imaginative play and
to set up the environment in such a way as to be
beautiful and conducive for enriching play...and so much
more. Check this book out for an excellent introduction
to some basic Waldorf concepts, and just glean some
great insights you may not have learned before. Great
for teachers and parents alike.
The Family Bed
by Tine Thevenin
This is a FANTASTIC
book! I've been recommended this book over & over and
finally checked it out from the La Leche League library
& read it. Wow! It's an old book, but the info still
holds true. For those of us that practice the "family
bed", this book is a comfort and very educational. For
those who don't...this may make you look differently at
the whole issue, or at least understand better those of
us who practice this age-old custom. It talks about how
the family bed is more than just a convenience to
nursing moms (which of course it absolutely is! I can
honestly say I've NEVER, as of yet, felt sleep deprived.
But that's MY story, I realize.)...but is actually
something very good for the children...who, since the
beginning of time, up til around 100 years ago, were
customarily brought to bed with their parents...and
still are in a majority of cultures all over the world
today. And the children of this practice are typically
well-adjusted, healthy sleepers, even after they've left
the family bed, which, the book explains happens
naturally when the child is developmentally ready. (If
allowed by the parents.) Also it talks about the
long-term emotional benefits of this practice, to the
children & the family as a whole. This book is
all-around GREAT! I can't say enough about it! Highly
recommended reading!
Celebrating the Great Mother: A Handbook of
Earth-Honoring Activities for Parents and Children by
Cait Johnson, Maura D. Shaw
This is an AMAZING book,
in my opinion. If you strongly believe in teaching your
children to have an appreciation of life and the
environment, this book is a terrific resource for
activities. There's some great ideas in here for
starting family traditions centering around honoring
Mother Earth. I can't wait to share these activities
with my daughter, when she's old enough to appreciate
them. The book centers around the festivals of the
seasons and harvests that have been celebrated since
ancient times. I particularly like the solstice
celebrations. You can learn more in-depth information
about the cyclical celebrations & get some great crafts
& activity ideas to expand upon the eco-friendly theme.
These festivals can be very spiritual, no matter what
your beliefs are.
Sharing Nature with Children: The Classic Parents' &
Teachers' Nature Awareness Guidebook
by Joseph Cornell
This is a fantastic book
to get ideas for activities to do with children, to
teach an appreciation of nature. I've used some of these
activities while teaching...but they are designed also
for parents.
Good Earth Art: Environmental Art for Kids
by MaryAnn F. Kohl & Cindy Gainer
Going along with the
earth theme (since it is spring now...lots of outside
time!)...This book has some really fantastic art
projects for kids of all ages, all "earth friendly!" I
especially love how the authors use symbols to help you
quickly find the projects that are appropriate for your
specific needs! Very user-friendly book!
Nighttime Parenting: How to Get Your Baby & Child to
Sleep
by William M. Sears, Mary White
As always, Dr. Sears (aka
attachment parenting "guru") wrote a very informative &
enjoyable book! Very different from the Ferber's &
Ezzo's philosophy...Sears is more of a "gently to sleep"
advocate. (Which, by the way, is a message board on
parentsoup.com...This
book is a keeper! All parents face these issues of sleep
with their children...here's a book that gives you an
alternative to the heart-wrenching "cry it out" method.
Sears instead tells how to make bedtimes less stressful
for all while keeping focused on the most import
thing...the well-being of your child. I highly recommend
this book to all, but especially to new parents (like
me!) It's so nice to know there are alternatives to the
"Babywise" techniques, for those of us who feel we need
a different way.
The Fussy Baby: How to Bring Out the Best in Your
High-Need Child
by William, M.D. Sears
Yes,
another Dr. Sears book...I love this guy! This one
really helped me to see my fussy baby in a new
light...helped me to see the fussiness through the
baby's eyes. And, yes, I WILL make it through these fusy
times. (Always showed me I did NOT have a collicky
infant & that others have it much worse. It's a relief
to realize I really don't have it so bad.) A really good
read for those of us blessed with "high need" children.
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- The original
Dr. Sears book...attachment
parenting guru. Learn all about caring for
baby the natural way. Dr. Sears encourages
parents to trust their instincts & love their
babies above all else.
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- This is the
book we used at the excellent preschool I used
to teach at...I highly recommend this form of
discipline because I've seen it work. The main
concept to this discipline is RESPECT. Not just
children respecting parents, but parents
respecting children! Also, age appropriate
expectations go hand-in-hand.
This is
a fantastic book that is really easy to read! (A
must for me!) It even incorporates cartoons to
help you to see how the different approaches
will solicit different outcomes...and guides you
to understanding what really is a better way of
communication with kids. There are things in
here we've all done before, and never thought
about how they may be affecting the outcomes of
situations with the children in our lives. It
makes you stop and think!
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