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You Are Your Child's First Teacher, Third Edition: Encouraging Your Child's Natural Development from Birth to Age Six by [Rahima Baldwin Dancy]

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Rahima Baldwin Dancy

Rahima Baldwin

You Are Your Child's First Teacher, Third Edition: Encouraging Your Child's Natural Development from Birth to Age Six Kindle Edition

by Rahima Baldwin Dancy (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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The first book in America to popularize the insights of Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Waldorf schools, regarding the developmental needs of young children, this revised and updated edition offers new ways for parents and educators to enrich the lives of children from birth to age six.

Today’s society often pressures us into overstimulating young children with flashcards, workbooks, videos, and electronic gadgets in a well-meaning attempt to give them a head start. But children are not little adults—they learn and grow in radically different ways at different ages, and what we do to help could actually hurt instead.

Some of the most important learning years happen before your child reaches school. In You Are Your Child’s First Teacher, respected Waldorf educator Rahima Baldwin Dancy explains the different stages of learning that children go through from birth to age six, giving you the wisdom and understanding to enrich your child’s natural development in the right way at the right time.

A trusted classic for over twenty years, this newly revised edition contains updated resources and additional information on discipline, early childhood programs, toilet training, using home life as curriculum, and more. From language and cognitive development to appropriate toys and nourishing your child’s artistic abilities, Dancy speaks up for a rational approach to child-rearing, one that helps children be children while we fulfill our important role as parents and first teachers.

Print length

338 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Ten Speed Press
Publication date

August 14, 2012
File size

3684 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a terrific book, packed with commonsense advice on the real basics of healthy mental and emotional development. Rahima is a wise and knowledgeable guide for parents struggling to raise good kids in a challenging world. Someday your children will thank you for reading this book!”
–Jane M. Healy, Ph.D., author of Different Learners and Your Child's Growing Mind

“Here is an extraordinary work for those who want to develop a truly intelligent child and, in the process, unlock new levels of their own intelligence and spirit. Rahima Baldwin Dancy gives us a brilliant new insight into early childhood based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and her own rich experience as mother, midwife, and teacher. I only wish it might be required reading for both men and women in all high schools and colleges.”
–Joseph Chilton Pearce, author, Magical Child

"Every time I dip back into You Are Your Child's First Teacher, and there have been many times, I feel like I have been gently elevated and reassured. Rahima gives a compass bearing to the parenting soul."
–Kim John Payne, M.ED., author of Simplicity Parenting

“In You Are your Child’s First Teacher Baldwin Dancy offers counsel and advice as from a warm and caring friend, never condescending or authoritative, but encouraging, supportive, suggesting new approaches and offering her own experiences for consideration.”
–Home Education Magazine

“It is Baldwin Dancy's sensitive, sincere, and ever-so-natural tending to the soul and spirit, as well as mind and body, of the newborn and young child, that makes this a very special book.”
–The Wellspring Guide

“Parents do not need a new set of rules or another authority telling them how to raise their children, only the capacity to see and understand the young child as a human being. Baldwin Dancy believes she can help parents harness the necessary ‘cognitive and intuitive knowledge’ to accomplish the task.”
–The Brown University Child Behavior and Development Letter

“Baldwin Dancy helps us to see that there are real risks to treating our children like little adults. She suggests ways that we can enhance and nurture their development by making conscious choices in our efforts to educate.”
–Bookmarks, newsletter of the International Childbirth Education Association --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

About the Author

Rahima Baldwin Dancy is internationally known as a Waldorf early childhood educator, author of Special Delivery, and coauthor of Pregnant Feelings. A mother of four, Dancy is a founding board member of LifeWays North America and co-founded/directed Rainbow Bridge LifeWays Program in Boulder, Colorado. Currently, she is the director of Informed Family Life, through which she organizes national conferences on alternatives in birth, parenting, and education.

Amanda Ronconi is an actress and narrator who divides her time between New York City and upstate New York. She holds a BFA from New York University, where she studied at the Stella Adler Conservatory. Amanda has performed in theaters around New York City and regionally, as well as on film and television. --This text refers to the audioCD edition.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

How Children Learn in the First Seven Years

The child between birth and age seven experiences the world primarily through her body. The senses are completely open, without filters or buffers, beginning at the moment of birth. The newborn continues to experience each sensation with her entire body and being. This is easy to see in the infant, who is all hunger or the pain in her stomach, or all the blissful sensations of nursing that cause her eyes to roll back and her toes to curl. The three-year-old, as well, is much more open to impressions of the world coming through the senses than is an adult. We can even observe that children’s eyes stay open longer between blinking than do an adult’s.
Two things are happening through sense impressions from birth through age seven. The child is both learning about the world and being shaped by the impressions she takes in, just as a sculptor might work with clay. This phenomenon does not occur very often with adults, who are less open and responsive to the environment than young children, but we can see a similar phenomenon in the molding of the features that the elements of light and weather etch into the face of a seaman or farmer.
This “sculpting” effect of impressions on a young child’s developing organs, which was pointed out by Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900s, was not meant to be taken metaphorically. Current research has demonstrated that this is physically true for the young child’s brain, which is still forming, not just growing larger. According to an article in Newsweek, “‘Only 15 years ago,’ reports the Families and Work Institute in the just-released study ‘Rethinking the Brain,’ ‘neuroscientists assumed that by the time babies are born, the structures of their brains [had been] genetically determined.’ But by last year researchers knew that was wrong. Instead, early childhood experiences exert a dramatic and precise impact, physically determining how the neural circuits of the brain are wired.”13 The second thing the child is doing through sense impressions is learning about the world. Through the body the baby learns about near and far, attainable and unobtainable, as when she learns that a spoon can be grasped but the flowers on the table remain out of reach. As she begins to learn the names of things, memory, language, and thinking develop so she can give expression to her own and the world’s emerging complexity. When the child reaches age three and beyond, what is taken in with the senses is also transformed and comes out again in the creative play and imagination of the young child.
The child’s major task in the first year of life is taking control of the body. Sitting, crawling, and walking are quickly followed by running, jumping, climbing, and other feats of dexterity as fine and gross motor coordination increase. Everything is done for the first time—using a shovel, sitting on a seesaw, cutting with a scissors—and then it is done over and over again. The child loves to move and to imitate, learning through doing something with someone else or after seeing it done. And the young child loves repetition, hearing the same story over and over or playing the same circle game, no matter how simple or boring it may seem to an adult.
The young child is also learning about the world emotionally, learning the fundamental lessons about trust and attachment, and later lessons about sharing and consequences. It has long been known that babies and young children in institutions where they are denied the love of a primary caregiver suffer “failure to thrive syndrome” and can die, even though their physical needs are being met. Now PET scans of the brains of orphans who have been institutionalized since shortly after birth show that the temporal lobes, which regulate emotions and receive input from the senses, are nearly quiescent.14 Such children suffer emotional and cognitive problems resulting not only from a lack of stimulation but also from a lack of love and bonding.
The baby is love. Bonding is less a process of babies learning to love their parents—because children will love even parents who abuse them—than of parents establishing the connection that will enable them to make room in their busy lives for another being who needs attention twenty-four hours a day! Children enter the world with a great deal of love and trust. They are not yet able to perceive good and bad, but they take everything as good and appropriate to absorb and unconsciously imitate.
Our Task as First Teachers
One of our primary tasks as our children’s first teachers is to provide them with impressions of the world that are appropriate for them to take in and copy. This means guarding and protecting them from sensory overload in a world of urban frenzy, and surrounding them with experiences that teach them about the world in a gentle way by letting them do things directly themselves and later act them out in their play.
We also need to strive to model appropriate behavior—that our emotions are under control with our children, that we don’t spank them while admonishing, “Don’t hit!” and so forth. Our actions speak louder than our words with the young child, who cannot help but imitate. Through us, children learn whether or not their initial love and trust in the world were well founded.
Another of our main tasks is to understand our children’s physical, emotional, and mental development so we can guard it and let it unfold without hindrance. No one would want to stop a child from walking, but it is also something that we don’t have to worry about teaching the child. The child will walk when she is ready, as a natural expression of the mastery of her own body—the development of balance and the achievement of verticality in the face of gravity that has kept her horizontal for so many months. There is a task for us—to guard, to protect, to understand, to share, and to enjoy with the child the unfolding of his or her abilities. We can do things to enhance abilities by providing an example and allowing the young child to express them freely from out of his own being. We can also note discrepancies in development and areas at risk and take gentle steps to help ensure balance. But with the young child much more is achieved indirectly through example and imitation than head-on through lessons.
No matter what our family situation or lifestyle, we as parents are our children’s first teachers. The importance of what they learn in the home and through their relationship with us cannot be underestimated. By understanding how children develop and some things we can do to help their balanced and healthy growth—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—we will not only help our children but also increase our own enjoyment and growth as parents.
--This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008WOUEMK
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ten Speed Press; 3rd edition (August 14, 2012)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 14, 2012
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 3684 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #510,134 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #96 in Parent Participation in Education (Kindle Store)
- #275 in Child Development
- #500 in Parent Participation in Education (Books)

Customer Reviews:
213 ratings

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Rahima Baldwin Dancy

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Internationally known as a Waldorf early childhood and parenting educator and author of You Are Your Child's First Teacher: Encouraging Your Child's Natural Development from Birth to Age Six, which has been translated into seven languages. A leading bridge builder between cultural creatives and the insights of Rudolf Steiner and Waldorf education since the 1980s, she now provides online courses for parents, early childhood teachers and childcare providers through LifeWays North America.

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Top reviews from the United States

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V. Sofitel

HIGHLY recommend reading for the first 1-3yrs- maybe even last trimester

Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2017

Verified Purchase

I suppose my review might mean more if I start by saying I am not a fan of parenting books and fads on how to raise child.
However.
The insights I have learned from this book are INVALUABLE! I am grateful for the teachings and the reviews that steered me to this book. The Waldorf Preschool I wanted my child to attend recommended Across the Rainbow Bridge,which my friend purchased. The reviews said it was a good book but not actionable for parents. This book on the other hand is FILLED with friendly suggestions, examples, and TONS of resources at the end of every chapter. I found myself wanting to buy every book the author recommended, because her style of writing is so inclusive I was inspired to learn as much as I could.

Anyway, since the first chapter I was finding reasons to stay up later to continue reading. I found myself prefacing most conversations with, " This book I'm reading talks about that...", and when I would share with my friend who was reading the book I had intended to buy I asked if any of this content was discussed and repeatedly she said none of the topics we were discussing regarding child rearing were addressed.

I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend this book to even a brand new mom. I personally didn't want to read any books I was so overwhelmed as a single parent and new mom. BUT I do wish I had these insights with a new baby and maybe even in my last trimester when reading books was a simple task ;)

33 people found this helpful

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Amanda

Amazing book!!

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2019

Verified Purchase

I loved this book, no regrets at all. It taught me a lot, specially when I was upset with my "new role" (being mother). I could understand so many things that I didn't have any idea about it. I could see my son from a completely different way, with more magic, more gratitude, more patience. For sure this is a book that I will read more times and give as gift for first time parents.

4 people found this helpful

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Kristina Werner

Best book I’ve ever read about parenting!

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

I LOVE this book!! Totally worth the money. The amount of useful information this book contains is unbelievable. I’ve recommended it to every parent I know.
It’s also a very easy, casual read. Definitely not something you need to have complete quiet to enjoy, which is hard to come by anyways when you have little ones. I’m so pleased I got it!

2 people found this helpful

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Lauren Busch

Good! But a little bit too much selling of the Waldorf

Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book was really great and brought up some really good points I am going to keep in mind while raising my daughter. But I also felt like it was a little bit just trying to sell the Waldorf schools.
I like how it tells parents to slow down and not treat kids like little adults. It also gives some great ideas on what to do with kids

5 people found this helpful

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Andrew

Other books offer the same information in a friendlier way

Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

Skimmed it and it’s already in the donate pile. Glad I got a used version for cheaper. Tells you what’s best for your child but not great at how or why. I found the book simplicity parenting to be much more user friendly.

6 people found this helpful

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AmazonCustomer

... new to waldorf teachings or wish to implement a better childhood for your child

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2018

Verified Purchase

If you are new to waldorf teachings or wish to implement a better childhood for your child, this is a perfect book! More introductory if you have actually read some of Steiner's work. Great how-tos for any family to get the ball rolling on a healthier, happier family/home.

4 people found this helpful

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Lea

Best parenting book for 6 yrs and under

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2018

Verified Purchase

One of my favorite parenting books. As a parent and as a early childhood teacher, I highly recommend this for it's practical, realistic and nurturing advice

3 people found this helpful

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Stephanie Scobell

Great information with many sources

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book is great! There is a lot of information to digest in here and she provides a ton of resources and sources for readers to check out. This book is a real resource and especially great if you need an introduction to Waldorf education.

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Top reviews from other countries

Bookworm

Love this book!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book has been the most helpful and eye opening book. It really helped me understand what my daughter needed at each age and how my everyday actions help her learn. It showed how little you need in terms of 'things' and helped me see how my daughter saw things. An absolute must for any parent.

10 people found this helpful

Rebecca

3rd edition Y.A.C.F.T

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2013

Verified Purchase

very use book to keep as your baby/ kid grows well thought out and with lots of tips one of the best books bought

Jenny Watt

Okay, you got me

Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2020

Verified Purchase

I work in research and I'm always so fussy about books being scientific, so I thought I wouldn't be able to get into this because it would be too woo woo. But, she got me, alright? I love it. I don't care that the sources aren't super varied and that there isn't a lot of scientific detail. I'M FINE WITH IT.

So many books and websites promote the image that failing to do finicky little things will result in significant harm to your baby. Authors go around making EXTREMELY strong positive statements on topics where the science is not settled or the effect is weak/disproven. The basic idea of this book is to teach you about infant development by age, so that you can gently encourage those developments without fancy gadgets or regimes. For each age group, the author gives a helpful summary of the small set of items that you actually need. The descriptions of the developments that occur at each age are quite detailed, so I didn't read the chapters for the upper ages completely because I imagine I'll have to read them again.

One person found this helpful

Krysh

Great book for all parents to read and better understand ...

Reviewed in Canada on September 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

Great book for all parents to read and better understand the world from a child's perspective. Both my husband and I have read it and recommend it to all our family and friends.

H. Soree

Better than Spock

Reviewed in India on November 30, 2017

Verified Purchase

This is the most important book I have read in years. The essence is its basis on the physical emotional social and spiritual development of the child

One person found this helpful