Playground Politics: Understanding the Emotional Life of Your School-Age Child [Paperback]

Stanley I. Greenspan (Author), Jacqueline Salmon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 1994

Playground Politics is the first book to look at the neglected middle years of childhood—from kindergarten to junior high—and to help parents understand the enormous emotional challenges these children are facing. In witty, vivid stories, Dr. Greenspan brings to life the major emotional milestones of these years, when children move from the shelter of the family to the harsh rivalries of ”playground politics,” and toward an independent self image. His empathy for the turmoil children bring home from school, and for the parents who try to help, is deep and reassuring.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., author of the widely used and praised books The Challenging Child and (with Serena Wieder, Ph.D.) Engaging Autism, is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School and lives in Bethesda, Maryland. Jacqueline Salmon, a staff writer on the Washington Post, is the mother of two young children and has lived the very issues outlined in this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; First Paperback Printing edition (August 31, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201408309
• ISBN-13: 978-0201408300
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #172,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must" for any parent with a school age child., August 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Playground Politics: Understanding the Emotional Life of Your School-Age Child (Paperback)

This book is one of the most straight-forward books I have read about the emotional stages of children from the time they enter kindergarten through their teen years. In easy to understand language, this book allows parents to enter into the minds and hearts of children and view the world from their perspective. I found it extremely useful for the insight it provides about the role that friends play in children's lives and how we, as parents, can provide support as they face the emotional challanges of human interaction.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, bad title, September 3, 2001

By 

Allan M. Lees (Novato, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Playground Politics: Understanding the Emotional Life of Your School-Age Child (Paperback)

The title of this book is entirely misleading. There is nothing whatsoever in the book pertaining to the politics of the playground, but a great deal of very good sense pertaining to how parents can assist their children to surmount developmental challenges. Apart from the usual North American neurotic attitude towards sexuality (that surfaces in Chapter Seven) this book is sensible and instructive. It avoids useless platitudes and instead provides parents with hands-on guidance that is neither foolish nor redundant. Even those parents whose children are progressing satisfactorily will find much here to prompt their thinking in ways that will lead to even greater richness of parent-child interaction. Along with "Siblings Without Rivalry" this is one of the must-have books for a parent's library.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful & well written, January 3, 2001

By 

MyParenTime.com "myparentimesfamily" (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Playground Politics: Understanding the Emotional Life of Your School-Age Child (Paperback)

As children grow and mature, they go through many different stages in their lives, each requiring support and understanding. The book, "Playground Politics", by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, offers us a look into the behaviors of children ages 5-12, and the emotional and developmental phases that they experience.

There are no concrete answers to help children cross over successfully from one stage to the next. What we can do, is try to understand the reasoning behind their behavior and feelings, and learn how to be a more supportive caregiver.

My ParenTime highly recommends "Playground Politics" - it gives us that special insight to explore, understand, and nurture our children's stages for growth, development, and emotional well-being.