Customer Reviews

Positive Discipline for Preschoolers, Revised Second Edition: For Their Early Years - Raising Children Who Are Responsible, Respectful, and Resourceful

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

`Discipline without Shouting or Spanking', `How to Behave So Your Preschooler Will, too!' and `Positive Discipline for Preschoolers' are three different books with almost identical messages. All believe that shouting and spanking are counterproductive and that successful discipline requires a parent or caregiver to calmly teach and reinforce the rules of good behavior.

`How to Behave So Your Preschooler Will, too!' and `Positive Discipline for Preschoolers' are both 300 plus page books and are arranged similarly. They begin by explaining what is typical preschooler behavior and what developmental factors are at play during this stage. This information encourages parents to make a paradigm shift and see "bad" behavior as developmentally appropriate behavior that needs the gentle hand of an adult to help channel it. They then follow with in depth discussions of good discipline strategies and how they differ from our natural knee-jerk responses. Both books end with practical examples of how to apply these discipline strategies to common behavioral problems.

I would recommend either of these books to anyone who has come to see that shouting and spanking doesn't work and wants to learn what does. `How to Behave so Your Preschooler Will, too! is written in an organized, succinct, clean style and will appeal to those who enjoy a "textbook-like" book. `Positive Discipline for Preschoolers', on the other hand, has a more friendly, meandering tone and is written in a "chatting over a cup of coffee" style with tons of first hand accounts thrown in.

"Discipline without Shouting or Spanking' is half the size of the previous two books and confines itself to practical applications. An outline format is used to discuss 37 common behavior problems. For each behavior problem it offers several suggestions to prevent the problem, solve the problem and even what not to do. Each discussion ends with an illustrative story. I would recommend this book to those already convinced that "positive discipline" works and looking for an easy to read, "in the trenches" handbook.

All three books are excellent resources for the parents and caregivers of preschoolers but as their content is so similar, I'd strongly urge a potential buyer to take advantage of Amazon's Look Inside! feature and purchase the one whose format and writing style most suits your literary taste.

For once, I've found a great parenting book that gives easy-to-understand advice and concepts on the art of raising a respectful and happy child. It also introduces a parent to the concept of identifying and respecting a child's developmental stage. This greatly puts a parent's mind at ease: the more you know, the better you'll react to negative behaviors in a constructive way. Have questions? The book systematically takes you through "positive" techniques on how to stear the child toward positive behaviors. Let's face it, we're all prone to knee-jerk reactions when it comes to child-rearing, e.g., we react to negative behaviors in a way that could prolong or promote more negative results. I loved the way this book wove in real-life anecdotes and real solutions to everyday questions that I have as a parent.

I read this in addition to "Positive Discipline" (see my review for that), because I was desperately looking for some advice on the 2-3 year old. Unfortunately, neither books addresses this age group. It seems if you have a "terrible 2" year old, you just have to wait it out until they reach 3 or 4, and then apply the rules of positive discipline. The concept of positive discipline is GREAT, but very hard to do. This book was not written as well as "Positive Discipline" was. It had way too many examples and not enough solutions. For example, the issues of hitting (kids hitting kids) is barely discussed. Basically, I think reading "Positive Discipline" is sufficient, and this book does not shed any more light, even though it claims to address preschoolers.

This book is incredible. I've already lent it to 5 friends all of whom have ordered it (we live overseas and it isn't readily available here). It not only helps with specific disciplining issues, it teaches you to understand the true message behind the behavior of your (preschool) child. Not only that, but how and why you as a parent with your unique "lifestyle priority" deal with your child's behavior. I have found this book an enormous help not only in how I "discipline" my children but also in how I view their behavior, and mine as well! My son attends a Montessori school and I showed it to his school principal who immediately ordered it (from Amazon) and declared "Finally, a Montessori discipline book". I have recommended the book to countless others and I just wish I was getting a commission!

Dealing with preschoolers, as any parent will tell you, is a challenge. How do you deal with this little being, that is both independent and dependent, at the same time? Nelsen, et al, have provided a common sense approach to raising preschoolers.

The ideas that are presented in this book, when used properly, are incredibly powerful. An example of this is recognizing the message being sent by the misbehavior of a preschooler. If you can identify what the message being sent is, then you have a greater chance of being able to redirect the behavior. Of course, you have to be willing to take the time to analyze the behavior and define what you are willing to do in response to the behavior. While the tools provided in this book are very powerful when used properly, they can also be very damaging when used improperly. If you have someone that can read the book with you and provide support, you will be much more effective at implementing the strategies successfully.

This book provides an idea for raising children without using humiliation or punitive measures to get short term changes in behavior. If you are looking for support for the, "My parents raised me this way and I turned out just fine." mentality, then find another book. If on the other hand, you are looking for a book that provides a basis for what I would consider to be an improved method of dealing with preschoolers, then this is your book.

The one thing that kept me from giving this book five stars is that it fails to address immediate safety issues. In many cases the book suggests plans that are implemented after you have had a moment to consider your response. It would be helpful if the authors provided some ideas as to how to respond to potentially dangerous situations without losing your cool and still treating your child as a human being who has control over their own actions.

This whole series of parenting books are extremely helpful. Sure, every once in a while you say to yourself, "this is just commonsense," but what makes these books great is that they give so many true to life examples with ideas about how to respond. Even the most patient of us sometimes snaps at our children, but these books teach you how to formulate productive ways to deal with tough situations. If you've ever experienced a supermarket temper tantrum, you'll need to order this overnight mail to find out how to cope. Every day care center in the country should make this required reading.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that this book has the best information I've ever read and believe me I've read a lot! I've spent the last 20 years reading every book and magazine article I came across on parenting skills and child development. This book has given me such insightful information I truly feel I'm a different parent than I was before.

A previous review stated that there wasn't any information about dealing with a three-year-old that hits. There is an entire section addressing aggression in the book. It starts on page 105 and goes through 113. On page 110 it specifically talks about hitting. The entire book addresses principles, child development and parenting skills that would address this issue.

I'm so much more patient now that I understand where my three-year-old daughter is coming from and the techniques and suggestions in the book are working like a charm. Understanding the different personality types in reference to children and adults has taken away a lot of my fears that "I've done something wrong." "Why is she slow to join in the activity?" "What should I have done differently." While there certainly are things that parents need to be conscious of when raising their children, understanding that we need to accept them for who they are is one of the most important lessons we can learn.

The examples in the book of situations we all face as parents was interesting and realistic. I will forever be grateful for finding this book and am recommending it to all my friends.

This book is a must have for any parent, teacher, or caregiver. It eliminates power struggles and allows you to enjoy your children. Instead of punishments and consequences, or just short term solutions, it helps us to open the lines of comunication with our kids, and motivate them to want to do the right thing- not just worry about 'getting caught.' Yes, it does take extra time and patience, but the results are incredible! I reference this book constantly and even keep positive discipline guidelines on my fridge! This is the best parent education book I have ever read.

WOW!! My 4 year old has been pushing me to the limits and all I kept thinking was that I was failing. This book has put so much into perspective for me and has given suggestions on how to handle situations. I don't yell as much and I don't get angry either. I have a better understanding of my daughter's mindset and it has helped with my 17 month old too!!

I have read many parenting books and this one tops them all! I could have saved myself alot of money if I had read this sooner rather than bothering reading all of those other books. Reading this book has greatly improved the way I parent. I believe that my son, who is four and I have both gained alot from my getting this book!!! I HIGHLY recommend reading this book!