Customer Reviews

The first three years of life

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

 

 

This book contains outdated infomation such as using pacifiers and its effect on teeth. I found this book informative and agreed with a lot of the things he had to say such as not letting a baby "cry it out" and explaining the importance of monitoring hearing ability. What I liked about this author is that he accepts differences of opinion of other readers who may disagree with him.

The author discusses the role of the father, bonding, toilet training and gives a list of recommended books to read.

Some of the things he discusses:
Recommended Child-Rearing Practices
Language Development
Some Childrearing practices he doesn't recommend
Helping the infant develop specific skills
How to screen for mild to moderate hearing loss in children
Toys he recommends for babies and toddlers
Talks a little about the effects of restrictive devices such as playpens
Obstacles to optimal achievement in the 5 fundamental edcational processes
Nuturing the Roots of Intelligence
A chart of recommended materials for your child to play with such as pots & pans
Sibling Rivalry
Discipline
The Critical Importance of Hearing Ability which includes a parents' checklist and steps to take if hearing loss is detected
The Needs of Infants & Toddlers
Play

Thank goodness I picked this one up. My bookshelf was full of books that were too harsh (like Gary Ezzo on scheduling babies), too condescending ("What to Expect the First Year"), or relied too much on anecdotal research (like "The Baby Book" by William Sears, an otherwise wonderful book). Mr. White's goal is to help you develop your infant into a happy, "delightful" two year old who is a good companion. His methods ring true to one who is very nurturing, but has heard the folk wisdom about spoiling a baby. Do your baby a favor and read either this book or his other, shorter one called "How to Raise A Happy, Unspoiled Child."

This book is an absolute must if you'd like to avoid the terrible twos stage. I read this book as well as his other entitled "How to Raise a Happy Unspoiled Child". I followed his guidlines as best as I could and today I credit Burton White for how wonderful my five yr old turned out to be! My son went through what I call the "terrific twos" and people comment on his well-behaved and happy disposition all the time! He teaches you how to "discipline" appropriately according to age without inflicting physical pain to the child. But you must begin by ten months at the latest. Starting early is the secret. Get his books and begin now for the sake of your child's happiness and maturity. Good luck!

I had the frist edition of this book when my daughter was born in 1979 and found it tremendously helpful in understanding the stages of development. This book is based on research, so the information is factual.

Since then, I have given a copy as a baby shower gift many times. That's why I ordering one today from AMAZON.COM!

I thought this was a decent book. That is, until, I read the section on closely spaced children, which basically claims that I have subjected my children to abuse by having them closer than 3 years apart. Gee, thanks, Dr. White. Maybe I should give up on parenting entirely since everything my child does in the rest of his life will be hard-wired by the time he's 3 and I've ruined him and his younger sibling by having her.