Customer Reviews

Is This a Phase? Child Development & Parent Strategies, Birth to 6 Years

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Featuring charming illustrations by Jenny Williams, "Is This A Phase?: Child Development & Parent Strategies, Birth To 6 Years" by health educator, pediatric advice nurse, inborn temperament specialist and researcher Helen F. Neville is a thoroughly 'parent friendly' guide to common behavioral issues with babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The advice ranges from having realistic expectations with respect to developmental milestones, to ways of making life easier until various phases are passed through, to reassurance about the range of normal development and when to get help, even instructional advice on how to talk about such issues as sex and death to a child. Of special note are the charts of quick information when a parent is short on time. "Is This A Phase?" is very highly recommended reading for all new (and not-so-new) parents having questions or concerns about kids and their quirks.

One of the things I liked best about this book are the "around the world" boxes... Basically, throughout the book there are little boxes with text describing how different cultures around the world have different beliefs about parenting. It's a wonderful reminder that there isn't just one way to parent.

As a parent educator, I often recommend titles I think will be of particular use to parents. This is one I also give to friends and family members as a baby gift. It's a book that can be referred to quickly and easily to find out say, why your 3 month old is fed and dry and still crying; why your toddler is so insistent on having everything done the same way, all the time; what to do when your three year old has a blazing meltdown in the grocery store; or how to determine if your five year old is ready for kindergarten.
If it's a developmental issue, you'll find it in this book and what's more, you'll understand it a little better and be better able to decide what to do about it, if anything. It's always a happy thing when you find out that your child is not disturbed---but simply age four. This is a helpful and reassuring book.

Review of "Is This A Phase" by Helen Neville.

This remarkable book discusses the many phases of development of children from birth to six years of age. By giving three personality tracts which show both female and male interests, the author has developed many behavior variations seen in preschoolers. There are charts which compare the age changes and alerts to possible deviations in development. The book itself is written in an easy to read style and is cross referenced so that one can find answers to specific questions as necessary. This is a well written ready reference which should reassure parents.

Helen F. Neville teaches us not only what to do with the new challenges of parenthood, but helps us understand what our child is thinking along the way. This book is a must have for every parent's nightstand.

As a mother, grandmother, and nurse practitioner working with parents and babies for over 30 years, I heartily recommend this book. It is a great combination of the latest science in brain development and emotional intelligence and very readable practical information on how to survive and enjoy the first critical years in the life of your child. The many tables make it easy to grasp important concepts at a glance. The "Around the World" sidebars were especially fascinating to me, comparing other cultural practices in childrearing to ours, reminding us that the standard American way is not the only right way.

This is a great reference book for parents. The book discusses the stages of development of children from birth to six years and gives examples of different personality temperaments and how to handle each one.

I love the easy to read charts, which graphs the age changes and alerts to possible problems in development. (But the author is not an alarmist, and uses a sense of humor delivering the info.) The book give you a better understanding of why your child is the way she is and even better, techniques that work in a variety of situations and age groups.

I have recommended this book to my friends as the book that "has it all"! I'm sure it will become dog-eared in the next 5 years the many times I'll reference it.

A fun to read, easy to explore guide that explains the world from a baby's point of view. With a sense of humor and a sense of calm, I think lots of first time parents will appreciate Neville's practical advice. Its like having a best friend/nurse/psychologist at your beck and call.

IS THIS A PHASE, is a practical approach to some of the inevitable challenges of parenting. Ms. Neville does an excellent job of selecting topics, ordering them in an easy to access manner and describing various ways to understand and, hopefully, manage many of the challenges we parents face. The language is right to the point--an important factor when we're trying hard to cope and have only a limited amount of time and resources to find help. The drawings and presentation are entertaining and add some needed lightness to the tasks of parenting. I highly recommend this book for parents interested in better understanding why their child is the way s/he is and techniques they can try to manage different developmental stages.

This book is wonderful. Would give as a gift and/or hand along.
It also gives great udeas for.dealing with numerous different situations you may encounter.
Would recommend.