Customer Reviews

On Becoming Preschool Wise: Optimizing Educational Outcomes What Preschoolers Need to Learn

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

On Becoming Preschool Wise is a guide for teaching preschoolers moral values, good manners, and good behavior. It is a collaborative effort of not only Mr. Ezzo and Dr. Bucknam, but also of several other educational consultants.

One thing that stands out in this book is the need to limit a child's choices. Too many choices can be overwhelming for a child. Parents who give their children this kind of freedom need to regain control. Doing so will mean that the child will be more secure and happier.

The other thing that is emphasized is the need for structure in a preschooler's day. This means not only scheduling mealtimes, naptimes, and bedtimes, but also "roomtime," "free playtime," "structured playtime," "structured playtime with siblings," "playtime with mommy," etc. It may take a little extra effort on the parent's part to do this, but it will be worth it, according to contributor, Carla Link. Children will know exactly what is expected and be better-behaved.

Other topics covered include play and toys for preschoolers, "laws of correction" for preschoolers, and kindergarten readiness. One of the most useful chapters was the one entitled, "Odds and Ends and helpful Tools." This chapter contained helpful hints on how to quiet a high energy child who's about to lose control, how to get a child to move a little faster when there are places to go and things to do, and how to eliminate whining. There are also ideas for chore cards and "positive action" charts.

I felt that this book had a lot of good advise for encouraging good behavior and developing good character in preschoolers. Some parents may find it difficult to follow the scheduling examples used in the book. Others who are proponents of giving children a lot of choices may find some of the ideas old fashioned. My only real complaint with the book was that there were a lot of references to previous books in the series. This made me feel that I missed something, and that I had some "catching up" to do. That aside, I would say that this book is certainly worth reading.

We have raised all three of our children based on Ezzo (and Biblical) principles and they are wonderfully well-adjusted happy children. If you want your child to throw tantrums, scream at you, demand their own ways, and are basically just little animals then don't buy this book - it just might change them. Imagine, children that are self-controlled, polite and enjoyable - that is what you will have based on their basic guidelines.

I loved Babywise (have no idea what those critics are reading, but they certainly are enthusiastic). My kids are great sleepers and eaters and are happy and people comment about their manners all the time.

The preschoolWise has many of the same tips from the toddlerwise and didn't really add much. I suggest that you buy one or the other, but not both.

This book is a lifesaver....I started with Baby wise, when my daughter was an infant, and have moved on up. Everyone is amazed at my daughter's "good nature". She is polite, respectful, takes good naps, and is a happy balanced child.

Ask any teacher and they will tell you: Children THRIVE on routine! The Ezzos do a great job of providing guidelines to structure your child's day, thus making them feel more confident and secure. Don't kill yourself trying to follow the books to a tee, though. Every child/day is unique-adjust accordingly!
ALSO, in reference to the "AAP" comment from the one-star viewer-I have found nothing on their website to support that statement and the co-author, DR. Bucknam is a member of F.A.A.P.

The On Becoming Baby Wise series is fantastic. I would recommend them to parents and parents to be. They helped tremendously with our toddler's sleeping habits. We have been following the parent directed feeding method with our newborn and I can see the benefits in just her first four months of life. I want to buy these books for everyone I know who is a parent. I can't thank my neighbors who bought these books for us enough.

I'm a wise series follower and in my opinion, this is the second best of the series (after Babywise I). This book gives you details on how a preschooler thinks. I love the introduction of the concept of "conscience". I like how there are sample schedules and the suggested learning activities. It is very resourceful and to the point. You're pretty much building upon the same concepts introduced earlier. I have a well adjusted daughter because of the wise series and love the Ezzo principles of life.

The Ezzo parenting style is wonderful! It helps plan a child's path with love and understanding as well as with disciplne and enforcement - something that is so rare anymore, but essential and vital to raising responsible children!

I started reading this book when my son was 10 weeks.At that time, he was waking up every four hours to eat, he cried anywhere from 1 to 4 hours a day for unknown reasons, and I was exhausted. Two days after I put him on a schedule suggested in this book, he started sleeping the entire night and no more unexplained crying. As a matter of fact, family and friends comment on his happy nature. Because I am a first time mother, I didn't know how many hours he should be sleeping or awake. Before reading this book, I didn't realize that he was exhausted and this was the reason for the crying. Once he started napping about 5 to 6 hours during the day, then he began sleeping all night. Sleep begets sleep!

I have the whole BabyWise series and have loved every book. This is no exception. There are tons of practical applications concerning how to prepare your little one for life, let alone school. It's a book I'll keep on hand to look back on often.