Reclaiming Childhood: Letting Children Be Children in Our Achievement-Oriented Society (Paperback)

~ William Crain (Author) "NEW PARENTS face many uncertainties..." (more)
Key Phrases: physiognomic perception, standards advocates, unobtrusive presence, United States, New York City, Howard Gardner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As a developmental psychologist (Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications), Crain is deeply concerned that a societal emphasis on pushing children too hard to succeed is robbing them of creative, joyful childhoods. The widespread parental obsession, for example, with getting their children into good colleges has, in part, led to an educational system that promotes mastering academic skills and test-taking at the expense of the arts. Drawing on current research and the developmental theories of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Maria Montessori, John Dewey, Noam Chomsky and others, Crain convincingly argues that children have a natural affinity for drama, nature, art and poetry-all of which are necessary to their development and should be encouraged by a "child-centered" rather than an "adult-directed" approach to raising children. He includes many strategies for child-centered parenting, such as making an effort to provide children with opportunities for experiencing the natural world and being careful to appreciate rather than trying to improve on a child's poem or drawing. This is a thoughtful plea for parents to focus on the quality of life that children can have now rather than on their future achievements. Illus. not seen by PW.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Crain, a developmental psychologist, laments the ceaseless schedule of activities for most American children that leaves them little time and energy for the typical childhood pursuits of a less restless and ambitious age. Crain worries that by focusing so much on preparing children for a competitive future, we are stunting their growth and neglecting their here-and-now needs and desires. He specifically examines current trends, from emphasis on standardized tests to the birth-to-three early-development movement, and contrasts them with the child-centered philosophies of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Dewey, Maria Montessori, Jean Piaget, and David Elkind. He advocates a more natural learning rhythm and an environment that takes advantage of children's own natural curiosity, with adults providing an "unobtrusive presence." Crain offers advice, based on research and interviews with parents and children, on how parents and educators can provide a more child-centered model for education that takes cues from the children themselves and respects their efforts to learn on their own. A thoughtful and valuable resource for parents and teachers looking for alternative approaches to education. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805075135
• ISBN-13: 978-0805075137
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #421,438 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Returning childhood to the kids, April 17, 2003

By	lindyjulie (Evanston, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reclaiming Childhood: Letting Children Be Children in Our Achievement-Oriented Society (Hardcover)

One of the great strengths of this book is that it reminds the reader of what it really was like to be a child: how imaginative, artistic, and connected to nature kids are naturally. It's hard for me to remember now, but there was a time when my favorite activity was hanging out in the backyard and just looking at leaves and under rocks, sitting quietly, and thinking things over. I could do this for hours.

It also made me recall the year I spent conducting research in preschool classrooms. I visited many wonderful preschools, but I remember being particularly struck by the atmosphere in the Montessori classroom I visited. There was a sense of calm there that I have never seen anywhere else. At first it seemed eerie; surely these kids were being coerced into behaving so quietly and going about their business in such an orderly graceful way. I remember in particular the child who was bringing around a tray of nuts that he had shelled and offering them graciously to the other children. But the longer I stayed, the more I realized that this deep sense of peacefulness originated from the kids' satisfaction in being allowed to choose their own tasks at their own pace.

William Crain reminds us of some of the charateristics of children's development that have fallen by the wayside as the push for academic achievement (as measured by standardized tests) has become stronger and stronger. The child's desire to be connected with nature, to use her imagination, and to produce art and poetry is valued so much less in our schools than the three R's. As a result they are in danger of disappearing from the curriculum completely, especially in schools with limited resources. Yet these activities are precisely what researchers in the last two centuries have observed to be at the very heart of childhood.

The assumption that our children's future is more important than childhood itself has become so commonplace that it is difficult to shake it even for parents who are committed to a parenting style that is child-centered. This book challenges the assumption that academic achievement is a goal unto itself, rather than a by-product of kids who are happy, well-loved, and allowed to grow at their own pace. It will remain a powerful reminder for parents committed to a child-centered parenting style of what childhood is for in the first place.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for parents of young children!, February 2, 2003

By	"kmsullivan369" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reclaiming Childhood: Letting Children Be Children in Our Achievement-Oriented Society (Hardcover)

As an expectant mother, I was amazed by the number of parenting books on the market that are geared toward preparing your child for the future. Like any parent, I want my child to be successful and confident. But most of all, I want my child to be happy. Luckily, I discovered William Crain's book, Reclaiming Childhood. The book has enlightening chapters on children's inherent ability to develop remarkable artistic, linguistic, and creative skills during their early years. It demonstrates that allowing a child to grow and learn in accordance with his or her own developmental timeline will allow the child to flourish and preserve skills and abilities that are often suppressed in a society obsessed with preparing for the future. Many of my generation have felt the need to be successful in the eyes of others at the expense of pursuing what we truly enjoy. I would hate for this to happen to my son. After reading William Crain's book, I feel confident that by simply introducing my child to his natural surroundings and allowing him to follow his own developmental instincts, I will be doing the right thing.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Help for parents, January 29, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Reclaiming Childhood: Letting Children Be Children in Our Achievement-Oriented Society (Hardcover)

As a pediatrician, I find that we are putting far too much pressure on children today. this book will help parents relax and appreciate children as they are. It contains outstanding chapters on the child's natural strengths in play, the arts, language, and feelings for the natural world. William Crain has pulled together a considerable amount of research to support his view that we must enable children to grow more spontaneously and naturally.