Customer Reviews

The Irreducible Needs Of Children: What Every Child Must Have To Grow, Learn, And Flourish

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book expecting to obtain help and information on disciplining and understanding my 2 year old. Instead, the book outlined cleary and forcefully policy points for addressing the various problems facing todays world youth.

While this book (i) makes for interesting "cocktail party" conversation for the casual observer and (ii) provides valid and interesting action plans for those in the legislative, judicial or social work arenas addressing various problems facing children(e.g., custody dispute resolution norms), this book is not a how-to book for parents (like some of Brazelton's other books).

This book should not be bought by those seeking a how-to parenting book. Other more informative books on this subject should be consulted instead. On the other hand, this book should be bought by those engaged in any aspect of work with children.

Gail Hudson's review above words things a little oddly. True, you could argue that this book says children ideally should be in day care less than 30 hours a week, but what it actually says it that ideally, an infant should be at home with a full=time parent! Less than ideal is excellent day care, and it should not happen more than 30 hours a week.

These and other specifics are in this book - how many floor sessions to have with a toddler, how much holding time an infant needs, how many hours of one on one an elementary schooler needs.

This book is marvelous. All parents will find they've fallen short of the ideal, but here's some directions to follow in geting back on track.

As a Ph.D. candidate, I read many child development books and this is one that I can get very excited about. Granted, many parents will find the advice hard to swallow, but this is a research based book. In the perfect world, this is how we would raise our children. I think this book is geared more for activists and professionals, but I also believe all parents should be an activist for their child. I wish every senator and congressman were required to read this book. Frankly, I'm grateful to Drs. Brazelton and Greenspan for giving us this opportunity for a glimse into their brillent minds. I would rate this as a must read for anyone concerned about our nation's children and social policies.

It's hard to believe Dr. Brazelton, who has written so many other brilliant parenting books, was an author of this book! It's not that the content was bad or controversially new - but as I read it I kept thinking "Been there, heard that. Where is the infamous Brazelton wisdom and humor usually found in his books?" This book reads like a thesis and is nothing like his other parenting books. This book was such a disappointment for a Dr. Brazelton fan.

I am a fan of Brazleton, and I eagerly awaited this book. (I even pre-ordered it before publication.) I was disappointed, however, when I read it, even though I agree with most, if not all, of what Brazleton says.

Much of it is obvious and basic information, at least to most parents I know. (I would think that most people interested enough in child care to order the book don't actually need it. Those who do need it are not likely to read it or agree with its philosophies.)

Some of the book is tedious and boring, getting into developmental studies and theories that set out graphs and charts that are meaningless to parents.

Very little of the book was informative and interesting. (The only thing interesting that I even remember is a section about two visits to daycare centers and how the average daycare worker spends time with infants and children, compared to the ideal parent or childcare provider. It is horrifying.)

I also found the writing style to be offputing, especially where the two authors repeatedly say "One of us (T.B.)found that ..."

Chapter 1 The Need for Ongoing Nurturing Relationships
Chapter 2 The Need for Physical Protection, Safety, and Regulation,
Chapter 3 The Need for Experiences Tailored to Individual Differences
Chapter 4 The Need for Developmentally Appropriate Experiences
Chapter 5 The Need for Limit Setting, Structure, and Expectations
Chapter 6 The Need for Stable, Supportive Communities and Cultural Continunity
Chapter 7 Protecting the Future

This book was somewhat infomative and worthwhile to read because it gave suggestions and ideas on how we can make this world a better place for children. However, in the last chapter, I felt it was poorly written because the authors just stated the problems of our global enviornment and gave little advice or ideas on how we can protect out children's future. I also felt that the authors discussed too much on some of the issues mentioned in the book. While I found this book useful for a research paper, I didn't feel the authors did a excellent job of explaning the needs of children and how we can make it a better place for them.

Yes, of course, dual income families are a necessity (for most people) given today's economic reality. Still, what kind of relationships can parents have with their kids when they're both working 60 hour weeks? Let's be honest. Something has to give. Greenspan and Brazelton have a plan to evolve our societal model so we can live more humane and rewarding family lives. They call for a balance of child care and work demands, but not based on the '50s model where the wife stayed home. READ THIS BOOK. This book gives people clear and specific guidelines for what it takes to build essential relationships with children that will instill in them with the confidence, sense of security, and love they so desperately need. Now we all need to READ THIS BOOK. If only this book accompanied the free bag of baby formula new parents get when they leave the hospital!!! It is a must read for legislators, educators, parents and grandparents. And it is the perfect baby shower gift or companion to a baby medical guide. Please READ THIS BOOK.

There are children in our world who are being failed - by parents, caregivers, and even society. If we can learn and understand exactly what a child's basic needs are, there may be a chance to save these children.

The book "The Irreducible Needs of Children", accomplishes the goal of describing the seven basic needs of a child - what they need in order to grow and thrive. Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, and Dr. Stanley Greenspan have both brought forth challenging information, including discussing methods to change society and people's actions & responses in order to suit a child's needs.

There may be situations where parents and caregivers may not be able to provide certain necessities to their children (ie: single parents & full-time parenting). After reading this book, these parents (who may be doing all they can for their children), may not agree with the recommendations or they may even feel inadequate as a provider. For these situations, the authors give suggestions on how to best find a suitable substitute, so the child will still receive the care he or she needs. There are also the other needs that must be met - we should all try as best as we can to meet each one.

My ParenTime recommends "The Irreducible Needs of Children", especially to those who have the ability to make changes in laws affecting children. Our children are our future - don't they at least deserve the basic necessities?

I was a little disappointed in this book. I am an educator but was reading from the perspective of a first time parent. It would be helpful for any teacher interested in teaching to individual differences. I wouldn't recommend this to parents unless they happen to be teachers as well.

This book is directed to parents but also to anyone who works with children. It sums up the very heart of developmental pediatrics and what it takes to support children in our society today. It it has a flowing read, as if you were listening to our leading experts discuss and reflect, on their years of experience, what sort of direction that needs to happen, if our children are to be successful. Should be part of curriculum for teachers, medical or nursing students, or any who work with children. I relied on information obtained from the "What Every Baby Knows" series years ago and know that it set me in the right direction in parenting. Our country needs more of this. And we need it more now, than ever.