Right From Birth: Building Your Child's Foundation for Life--Birth to 18 Months (Goddard Parenting Guides) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These Goddard parenting guides, written for the educated parent, report recent research on the functioning of the brain and the integration of emotional, physical, mental, and social growth. When new findings contradict old theories, the authors separate fact from fad. While each book does give concrete suggestions on what to do at various ages, the emphasis is on the developmental point in the child's life at a particular time. The Rameys, both psychology professors at the University of Alabama, describe seven principles essential to good parenting, culled from years of research. They take pains to explain why punishment is detrimental to babies. Pruett, a professor of child psychiatry at Yale's Child Study Center, also describes how to set limits for toddlers in his discussion of the tremendous development that occurs between 18 months and three years. Each book takes a careful look at good day-care solutions and encourages parents to relax and enjoy their children. The authors recognize that new parents may sometimes feel awkward interacting with their small children, and both books demonstrate how important that personal contact is. The series will continue with issues of concern to parents of three- to eight-year-olds, also written by the Rameys. Both books are recommended for public and academic libraries.AMargaret Cardwell, Georgia Perimeter Coll., Clarkston
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

What does the new research on brain development and early learning really say - and not say? In this wonderful new book, Drs. Craig and Sharon Ramey, well-known child development researchers, help parents separate fact facts from fads and give solid, easy-to-read-and-understand advice on parenting practices that make a difference over the long-term.

Their focus is on the child's total development - how growth, learning, communication and social and emotional development interact and depend on one another. "The more you know about how infants and young children develop," they write, "the more you understand why some parenting practices are more effective than others in producing a good-natured, socially responsive, creative, and accomplished child."

To help you put this knowledge to use, the authors have identified "Seven Essentials" that children need in their everyday lives, and they show you month-by-month how to provide activities to put these into practice. Even for the busiest parent, the activities are easy to do, fun to learn and don't require buying anything. Equally important, they can be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time. And while this book covers birth to 18 months, the "Essentials" are applicable as children move beyond toddlerhood.

The authors' down-to-earth approach is reflected in their advice to parents about the use of the suggested activities: "Personalize them. Let them reflect your own interests, personality, culture, values and traditions. Be creative. Be relaxed. Rest assured you can and will be the best kind of parent you always have dreamed of being." -- Work and Family Life, March, 1999

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Goddard Press, Inc. (January 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966639707
• ISBN-13: 978-0966639704
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #980,630 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every parent with a newborn should read this book!, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Right From Birth: Building Your Child's Foundation For Life (Paperback)

This is a fascinating and very readable guide on early learning and emotional growth for the parents of newborns through 18 months. Using the latest research, the internationally renowned Rameys discuss how infants adapt, learn and grow, both intellectually and emotionally. Right From Birth contains examples of proven benefits, the Seven Essentials, that parents can give to their children beginning at birth that will result in permanent developmental benefits. It also contains many practical suggestions on parenting that are easy to understand and apply. They are presented in simple formats such as What Parents Should Do. This book considers everything from an infantss personal style to elements of growth to what to expect. It covers teaching, daily routine, language development, outside care, appropriate activities, and a myriad of other important elements and milestones in an infants development. If you are the parent of a newborn, this should be must reading for you! Start Right From Birth to give your child the best head start for development!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a fabulous book!, February 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Right From Birth: Building Your Child's Foundation For Life (Paperback)

As the mother of a now nineteen-month-old, I highly recommend this book. For the first eighteen months, this and the AAP's book were all I needed. I liked the blend of research and advice explained in an easy-to-read and nonjudgemental format. While some may find the book overly general, frankly, I already knew how to change diapers and stuff, and I prefer the approach of being told what is happening developmentally with my child at a given moment and then letting me decide what to do with the information. There are some very good suggestions for what sorts of stimulation a child needs at various ages, and they're nice to use for launching points. Having made it all the way through the stages in the book, I can say that their advice helped my son become the happy, well-adjusted toddler he is today.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice blend of research and common sense advice!, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Right From Birth: Building Your Child's Foundation For Life (Paperback)

The Rameys have crystallized a lot of research and have given prudent advice on the importance of building your child's foundation in their infant years. This book is easy to read and nicely laid out so that busy parents can learn a lot even if they browse for only a few minutes. It has earned a spot on our library shelf next to Dr. Spock!