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You know how we're always lamenting that there aren't any good books out there to describe behaviours and approaches for toddlers? I mean, with babies it is easy: you respond to their needs. With older kids you involve them in the process of discussing issues and problem-solving. But with toddlers it seems to be all about redirecting, etc. And I know many people struggle with knowing what a 2 or 3 year old is REALLY capable of understanding. ANd we have many requests for "where do I find out more? what books tell me what is right to expect and what is 'asking too much'?".
Well, I found this book in the library, quite by accident, called "Innovations: Infant and Toddler Development" by Kay Albrecht and Linda G ******. It's part of a series written for early childhood educators (those teaching/caring for kids from birth to age 3), but it is written in lay terms and outlines all these things that we talk about here so much.
It's really fascinating to see that so much of the research supporting gentle discipline goes back to the 70's even, and yet so sad to see how little of that knowledge has made it into the mainstream. The authors talk about the dangers of trying to simply eliminate behaviours, rather than considering emotional development as being as important and critical as physical development, and requiring just as much patience and thought. They also had a great chapter about separation, and how the old adage of "just leave quickly, they'll cry and get over it" is not in the best interests of the child at all.
Anyways, if your local library has a copy, I urge you to pick it up. I'm writing some notes right now, and will bring up a couple of things for discussion. What's super nice is that it is all referenced. So next time your MIL says that you need to "nip that behaviour in the bud" you can refer to the study by So-and-So in the Journal of Child Psychology which refutes this "myth".
More to come!
Well, I found this book in the library, quite by accident, called "Innovations: Infant and Toddler Development" by Kay Albrecht and Linda G ******. It's part of a series written for early childhood educators (those teaching/caring for kids from birth to age 3), but it is written in lay terms and outlines all these things that we talk about here so much.
It's really fascinating to see that so much of the research supporting gentle discipline goes back to the 70's even, and yet so sad to see how little of that knowledge has made it into the mainstream. The authors talk about the dangers of trying to simply eliminate behaviours, rather than considering emotional development as being as important and critical as physical development, and requiring just as much patience and thought. They also had a great chapter about separation, and how the old adage of "just leave quickly, they'll cry and get over it" is not in the best interests of the child at all.
Anyways, if your local library has a copy, I urge you to pick it up. I'm writing some notes right now, and will bring up a couple of things for discussion. What's super nice is that it is all referenced. So next time your MIL says that you need to "nip that behaviour in the bud" you can refer to the study by So-and-So in the Journal of Child Psychology which refutes this "myth".
More to come!
