Questions Children Ask and How to Answer Them (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Presents a wide range of questions, frequently asked by youngsters from two to eleven years old, along with appropriate answers specifically geared toward four stages of maturity, covering topics ranging from ""What's Divorce?"" to ""Where did I come from?"" Original."

About the Author

Dr Miriam Stoppard is the best-selling author of childcare, pregnancy and health titles. Her books include Conception, Pregnancy and Birth, Baby and Child Health Care and Complete Baby and Child Care. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789414716
• ISBN-13: 978-0789414717
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,138,836 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Simple, but some advice outdated, March 21, 2000

By	Mark R. Falk (Tacoma) - See all my reviews

I enjoyed some of the descriptions and easy to understand terms used to explain some of the more sensitive subjects that most parents are uncomfortable with. I do, however, believe some of her discussions about social and emotional issues were lacking and in some ways, outdated. A particular example of this is her explaining what to do about coping with bullys. I found it appalling that in this day in age, her advice is to warn the bully you will strike back, and then do so upon further harassment by the bully. "Take one final swoop" and then go find a grown up. Sounds like an outdated mode of coping, one that in today's society would get you suspended from school, at the least, fatally wounded at the worst. Made me question some of her other explanations about similar issues.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book of answers for the curious, yet caution is advised!, February 20, 2001

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Children are naturally curious. That is how they learn. By asking questions, they find their way through the world of endless information. This book gives answers for children in four age groups. This includes age 2-4, 4-6, 6-8 and 8-11.

While many parents will find this book a bit controversial, I think once they read the contents for what it is, it will in fact help them to decide what they want to tell a child and when. It is my understanding that this is a guide for parents to help them answer questions, so that is my word of caution to parents.

Each parent will have to decide what they want to tell a child or what they don't want to tell them. I do not advise this book for reading with a child. It is way too detailed for the earlier ages. Plus, don't you want your child to think you really know all this information and look up to you with great awe. I am joking, but really some of the information presented was a bit much to tell a child.

The sections on sex are very graphic and tell all. Now that you are all pulling out your credit cards.....shall I go on? Well on a more serious note, do I want my children to know the mechanics of sex if I want them to abstain until they are married. Then on the other hand, do I want my child to be prepared to fight off a molester? Yes! So, what do I tell a child at a young age so they are safe. That is the trick question and this book will help parents to know what to tell a child and at what age. This book deals with very difficult issues, ones that even adults don't want to deal with, like divorce.

It is sad that children can't grow up in a perfect world and what is a parent to do when their child comes home with questions about life as they know it. In this day and age, children sometimes have to learn "survival skills." Subjects like drugs and alcohol are things you have to discuss with a child in order to protect them from getting physically harmed. Dr. Miriam Stoppard has a very open policy. She believes in keeping the lines of communication open between the parent and child from a very early age. She believes this helps to prevent the typical teenage withdrawal.

Some of the questions included are:

Where did I come from? Does the baby grow inside you? How does the baby get out? What is sex? (then a bunch of sexual questions I will let you discover on your own) Why can't I take my clothes off? What happens when you die? Why do some babies die? Who is God? What is Religion? Where did Mommy/Daddy go? What's a divorce? Why am I adopted? Why can't I make friends? Why do I have to go to school? Why is my skin color different? Why can't she walk? Do I have to eat meat? Why can't I talk to strangers? What is a bully? What does violence mean? What is alcohol? Why is smoking bad for you? What are drugs?

As you can see these are issues children have to deal with. I can't think of a subject this book doesn't cover. While the guidelines are practical, use your own moral standards to decide how much you will tell your child. The age chart is helpful, yet I recommend this book with a word of caution. Dr. Miriam Stoppard says this: "To no child is my whole answer necessary. Pick and choose; discard and invent; reject and create." I can heartily agree with that advice and in that way this book can become very useful as a tool for parents to use to help a child understand the world around them.

~The Rebecca Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Self Help for the dialogue challenged, August 7, 2007

By	B. J. Butterworth "coloradobookie" (Louisville, Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Self help at it's best, for those who want to use the best "words." Adults know what they want to say but sometimes need help explaining to a child. This is the perfect book for those of us that forget what it's like to be a child, listening to an adult explanation.What to Expect the First Year, Second Ed