Archive for toddlers

Montessori from the Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen

April 14, 2008 at 5:37 pm · Filed under development, montessori, toddlers

This was recommended to me by the director at the Montessori preschool that Snuzzler will probably attend (16 months from now, yes… but these things need to be decided early when you live in San Francisco).  It discusses Montessori’s ideas for the 0-3-year-old child, and actions that parents can implement to start developing autonomy even at this early age.

 

There are some good, practical ideas for parents in this book, but it much of it reads like it was written in 1983 instead of 2003.  The breastfeeding section is a good example… they recommend “toughening” up your nipples prior to having your baby to make breastfeeding easier, but the La Leche League and other breastfeeding authorities no longer recommend it.  They also recommend weaning at nine months; The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for six month, then continuing at least one year and two years or more if possible.

 

The sections on sleeping, personal care, language and the developing will contain a lot of specific ideas for creating the baby’s room and teaching autonomy.  Though I may not follow these ideas to the letter, there are some general principals here that resonate with me, such as creating a simple, functional environment.  I’d also like to see if Snuzzler has any luck drinking water from a small shot glass or votive candle holder.  

 

I do love Montessori and I’m excited for Ivan to go to his preschool, but this book has you leaving your newborn alone more time than makes me comfortable.  They seem to advocate CIO (Crying It Out) for very young babies, and I am not comfortable with that.  However, I think Attached parents can still find useful information in this book… teaching a child to drink from a cup at nine months or put on his own socks does not interfere with Attachment Parenting theories.

 

Pros:  Specificity of information, doable ideas that can be implemented immediately by parents.  Ideas can be adapted to suit you and your child (even though they are so specific).  The book is very readable and well-organized.

 

Cons:  The entire section on breastfeeding.  Find another source for more accurate information, such as The Nursing Mother’s Companion or The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. 

 

 

Montessori From the Start on Amazon.com

Leave a Comment

Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five by Penelope Leach

February 6, 2008 at 5:56 pm · Filed under Penelope Leach, breastfeeding, development, discipline, infant care, parenting, pumping, temperment, toddlers

This is my go-to book for all infant and toddler-care matters.   I love Ms.  Leach’s writing style:  Direct, pro-child, often funny.   Her writing is clear and concise and always, always promotes love and respect for the child. 

She covers every topic a new, inexperienced parent needs to know, such as diapering, feeding, sleeping, teething, bonding and daily life with an infant and toddler.  She also provides ideas for games and more complicated toddler issues, such as introducing a new baby into the household. 

I keep this book handy and available and recommend it to everyone.

Pros: Child-centric,  direct advice.

Cons: The index doesn’t actually reference everything that is actually in the book, such as the Parent Question pages scattered throughout the book.  If you find something in those you want to find again later, you should bookmark it, or you’ll have to resort to scanning.

Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five  on Amazon.com.

Leave a Comment

Brain Games for Babies, Toddlers & Twos: 140 Fun Ways to Boost Development by Jackie Silberg

February 5, 2008 at 8:38 pm · Filed under baby games, development, toddlers

If you’re wondering whether to talk to, pick up or cuddle your baby, this is the book for you! Seriously, I have no idea for whom this book might be useful. Some of the “games” in the 12-18-month-old section include cuddling your baby and giving him/her a toy to play with while you change his/her diaper.   Are there really parents out there who would not think of doing those things?  It’s actually a little scary. 

Apparently there are a series of these by the same author, for different age groups.  I will not be reading those.  Don’t even bother checking this one out from the library… it’s that useless.

Pros:  Nice photography?  I can’t think of much else.

Cons:  All of it. 

Brain Games for Babies, Toddlers & Twos  on Amazon.com

Leave a Comment

Baby Days: Activities, Ideas, and Games for Enjoying Daily Life with a Child Under Three by Barbara Rowley

February 5, 2008 at 8:30 pm · Filed under baby games, development, toddlers

Excellent resource not only for age-and situation-specific baby activities, but also great ideas for family-related activities to do when baby is napping (as if you didn’t already have enough to do– still). Much better than many of the other “baby games” books out there.

Pros:  Lots of ideas covering a large scope of interests.

Cons: Like a lot of baby game books, tends to skew a little older.  Don’t be alarmed if your baby/ toddler is only ready for activities designated in the book as being for a child younger than he is. 

Baby Days  on Amazon.com.

Leave a Comment

The Baby Games: The Joyful Guide to Child’s Play from Birth to Three Years by Elaine Martin

February 5, 2008 at 5:40 pm · Filed under baby games, development, toddlers

This is a nice collection of games, divided by age and then by category (Word Play, Water Play, Art, Movement, etc.).  As with many of books in the baby-game oeuvre, this tend to skew a little older, so an actual 12-month old may not be able to do or understand many of the games listed in the 12-to-15-month-old chapter.  That’s no problem, though… just go a chapter down!  Psychologically this is tough on parents, though, who might start to question their child’s developmental capabilities. 

This is one that I definitely plan to buy, as the games and songs actually seem fun and the reference goes up to three years– though I’m sure many of the games could be played and used for a much longer time. 

Pros:  Lots of good ideas that are both baby- and parent-friendly, most of which are inexpensive or free.  She provides ideas for keeping things open and adaptable.  I see a lot of Montessori-themed play in here.

Cons:  No music listed for the songs.  That would be helpful to have.  She does list song origins, though, and that is nice.  Some of her ideas are a little old-school, but those parts can be skipped or modified to suit your parenting philosophy.

The Baby Games: The Joyful Guide to Child’s Play from Birth to Three Years  on Amazon.com.

Leave a Comment