2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprisingly One of the BEST Child Development books I've ever read, July 31, 2009
I wasn't expecting much from this book mostly because there are so many books on "protecting childhood." When you think about it, what child development or parenting book isn't directed towards improving a child's life. This book, more or less seemed like a general over view of how to let kids be kids. I couldn't have been more WRONG. This is a fantastic, very well written and comprehensive look at childhood at it's best, and how we're bringing out childhood at its worst.
To be honest the overall point of this book comes across a bit radical at times, but his ideas are sound. I think it's just an odd thought to let kids have more control over their own lives because we're so used to monitoring every aspect of their lives. Which is precisely the point of this book. His approach to education was so unusual it made me shake my head at times. He works at the Albany Free School which is a school that allows children to learn whatever they want, whenever they want....and what that school does is mind boggling if you're used to the structure of an everyday public school. But after reading this book, and doing some research on the school since then I am planning on taking a trip up to New York to check this school out because what they're doing is working, and as radical as it's concept might be, it is turning out some very innovative, creative, and self reliant children into the world. I have to see it for myself.
What is so impressive about this book is it's not necessarily a "parenting" book or a research oriented book, but Mercogliano covers his theme using history, biology, psychology, sociology, education theory, philosophy, literature, and personal accounts in addition to basic parenting advice, all of which is based with solid research. He wraps it all together so well, fitting the theories of Jung with Erikson, connecting that to some of the newest brain development research. He shows where childhood has come from, how it has changed, and how our culture of industry straight through to technology has shaped those changes. The whole book is quite impressive, not to mention easy to read and concise.
I was the most impressed with the chapter on how the media has affected childhood (Ch. 7: Childhood Lost). That has been my major area of study for quite some time so I wasn't expecting to read anything I hadn't read before, but the media chapter in this book might be the best chapter I have ever read on media effects. Not only did he incorporate some well known research, but he used a lot of research I wasn't familiar with. In addition he uses media theory and philosophy to introduce and back up his points starting with Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman (the chapter of this chapter is actually a reference to Postman's book "The Disappearance of Childhood" which is also a fantastic book, although much more dense and somewhat difficult to read by comparison to this book).
The book did have it's weak points. I felt the chapter on solitude was lacking and almost pointless at times. The point of a child needing solitude to explore his inner thoughts is an important aspect of this book, but he doesn't cover the subject well. He takes a philosophical perspective, which although interesting, could have easily been tied into some research about how important it is for children to feel bored because it encourages them to seek out and explore on their own instead of having an adult cater to their entertainment needs.
I LOVED this book, and I have read countless books on just about every child development topic possible. It's an easy book to read, it's packed with good ideas, and good advice. Not to mention the author is clearly passionate about his topic, which isn't always as obvious in books so full of information. For under $1 this book is a steal, and shouldn't be missed whether you're a parent, educator, or politician. Heck, even if you have no interest in kids you should pick this book up because surely one day you'll have a child and that child will have a soul and this book will help you nurture any child's soul, their brain... and their "inner wildness" which is about the most important thing any book can hope to accomplish. This book is fantastic, don't miss it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grow self-reliant, interesting children, May 6, 2009
I really enjoyed this book. I've heard many times about the importance of play -- this book explains it. It shows me an uncertain path to the outcome that I want -- children that grown into self-reliant, resilient happy adults, who can meet with setbacks and still find their way into a productive niche in the adult world. Uncertain because their are no guarantees -- this is not a program of steps, instead this book encourages you (with many research studies cited) to trust that, given appropriate freedom, you children will successfully find their own way into the adult world. Protect you children from over-scheduling and domestication. Don't let control (as practiced in most schools) be the overwhelming force in their lives. Did over-education steal your inner guide from you? Save it in your children.
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