Great Kids

August 13, 2007
Professor of psychiatry and pediatrics Greenspan (The Challenging Child, Engaging Autism) expands his authorial reach, heretofore limited to special needs children, with this general guide to instilling values in any developing child. A conversational style eases parents into the methods for cultivating 10 essential qualities that will "make possible the pursuit of success, wisdom, and rich relationships at every stage of life": engagement, empathy, curiosity, communication, emotional range, self-awareness, internal discipline, creativity and vision, logical thinking and moral integrity. Using the "Floortime" method developed (and trademarked) by Greenspan and his colleagues (widely practiced by those working with autistic children), the process begins with parents getting down into "her orbit at her eye level and on her terms," letting the child lead so that one can "build on her interests in ways that expand her experiences and tolerance for frustration." Following a complete and detailed discussion of the quality in question, including helpful examples, chapters end with a concise set of action points for children at various stages of development. Interesting, practical and rooted in solid values, Greenspan's latest is a notable standout in a crowded field.

August 1, 2007
We all know great kids when we meet them, but what is it, exactly, that makes them "great"? An internationally recognized leader in child psychiatry, Greenspan (psychiatry & pediatrics, George Washington Univ. Medical Sch.; "The Challenging Child") worked with experts from the nonprofit organization Zero-to-Three to survey leaders in such fields as medicine, law, the arts, education, and business to identify characteristics defined as critical to success in life. Great kids, they discovered, have the following qualities: they are engaged, empathetic, curious, and good communicators; they have emotional range, self-awareness, discipline, creativity, logical thinking skills, and moral integrity. Luckily, these qualities are not hard-wired genetic attributes but are learned through experience, and there are many ways parents can help children develop them, such as throwing hurdles into imaginative play instead of directing a script of niceties; encouraging a wide range of emotions, even those considered uncomfortable; and valuing the extensive "why" conversation, which drives everyone nuts. The book is somewhat academic, offering a philosophical approach to emotional development rather than concrete parenting tips, but readers will be richly rewarded. Highly recommended for academic, consumer health, and public libraries.Julianne J. Smith, Ypsilanti Dist. Lib., MI

Copyright 2007 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.