The Preschool Years [Paperback]

Ellen Galinsky (Author), Judy David (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 12, 1990

If you're a parent, you may have already discovered the dearth of literature on a very important period in your child's life: ages two to five, known as the preschool years. The first book of its kind, The Preschool Years brings together in a single, superbly organized volume the advice of parents, and the latest thinking of experts, on one hundred issues that arise during this crucial time.

Ellen Galinsky and Judy David have collected an impressive wealth of knowledge from such experts as T. Berry Brazelton, Benjamin Spock, and Bruno Bettleheim, as well as insights from parents themselves, to present a range of practical solutions to everyday problems. Taking into account the very different needs of a wide range of families, The Preschool Years answers specific questions on such topics as:
-- Discipline
-- Expressing and Controlling Anger
-- Television
-- Making Good Family Rules
-- Shyness and Aggressiveness
-- Sharing
-- Moral Development
-- Friends
-- Real and Imaginary
-- Coping with Temperamental Dispositions
-- Eating and Mealtimes
-- Shopping with a Preschooler
-- Building Social Skills
-- Handling Fear
-- Choosing Child-Care Programs
-- Establishing Daily Routines
-- Encouraging Healthy Sex Roles
-- Handling Separation and Divorce
-- Holidays, Vacations, Moving
-- And much more

In its scope, depth, and comprehensiveness, The Preschool Years is a unique contribution to the field. Whether you are a parent, an educator, or a child-development expert, this is the book about preschool children that you should own.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Family life experts Galinsky and David, aided by hundreds of the parents who have attended their seminars, offer practical solutions to everyday parenting problems such as discipline, learning, routines, family relations, work, and child care. Also addressing special problems like moving, divorce, and death, the authors introduce the latest findings on child development to support their views. The result is a readable and authoritative book that emphasizes the importance of teaching children problem-solving skills and offers good, solid advice about the complex task of modern parenting.
- Marguerite Mroz, Baltimore Cty. P.L.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"The strategies from parents are little jewels scattered throughout each chapter that readers can seize on and try for themselves. The multisolution philosophy used in the book is designed to bolster parents' confidence and develop their abilities to parent, rather than foster reliance on an expert."

Atlanta Journal & Constitution

"The authors make it clear there is often more than one way to solve a problem....A welcome addition."

Young Children

"Wonderful. The combination of giving parents an understanding of what they are going through, the knowledge we have of it from research, and breaking it down into step-like decisions is a very fine format."

T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 528 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (December 12, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345365976
• ISBN-13: 978-0345365972
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ellen Galinsky, president and cofounder of the Families and Work Institute, helped establish the field of work and family life at Bank Street College of Education, where she was on the faculty for twenty-five years. At the institute, she continues to conduct seminal research on the changing workforce and changing family. Her more than forty books and reports include Ask the Children: The Breakthrough Study That Reveals How to Succeed at Work and Parenting and the now-classic The Six Stages of Parenthood. She has received numerous honorary degrees and awards, including the 2004 Distinguished Achievement Award from Vassar College. She served as the elected president of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources in 2005. She holds a Master of Science degree in child development and education from Bank Street College of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in child study from Vassar College. A popular keynote speaker, she was a presenter at the White House Conference on Child Care in 1997 and on Teenagers in 2000. She is featured regularly in the media, including appearances on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have for parents of children 2-5., November 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Preschool Years (Paperback)

If you can only buy one book to get you through your children's preschool-age years, this is it. This book is worth buying rather than borrowing because you'll want to refer back it to over and over. It covers discipline and child development, as well as the larger realms of family and school, in a manner that is accessible, reassuring and very informative. First-person narratives are sprinkled throughout, which makes it enjoyable to read. A very wide range of issues are discussed, in a tone that respects both the parent and child.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Among the best--you can't go wrong buying this book!, January 2, 2005

By 

A reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Preschool Years (Paperback)

I've read a lot of parenting books and this is one of the best. Each topic is covered in depth from several angles:
--what is known from research on the topic
--suggested strategies and reasons for using these strategies
--variations and additional suggestions made by parents

I appreciate the nuanced, balanced, kind, sane world view as well. I have a lot of respect for what is in this book, in part based on what is NOT in it. For example, disciplinary strategies are neither the overly touchy feely stuff presented in books like "Becoming The Parent You Want To Be" or a hard authoritarian line that neglects to teach kids WHY treating others with respect and doing the right thing is important. There don't seem to be any crazy sidelines (ie. the wacky diet suggestions of the "What to Expect" series). Outdated notions of gender stereotyping are also refreshingly absent. This book is truly geared toward parents who need advice in a very neutral way, rather than assuming that mommy is running the show as so many books do.

If I could only keep one of the greater than one dozen parenting books I have, this would probably be it. I return to it again and again and find solid, workable and to-the-point advice on a host of issues.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help for parents of preschool children, August 16, 2007

By 

D. A. High - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Preschool Years (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my son & his wife, they liked it so much I purchased it for my daughter & her husband when they had children. It really has helpful suggestions.