Most
parents these days are fully aware that the most significant part
of their child's development of personality, confidence, learning
skills and emotional health lie in the first three years of life.
It is that small piece of time that can impact heavily on the rest
of his or her life.
Me,
Myself and I by Dr. Kyle D. Pruett is a wonderful (and sometimes
terrifying) glimpse into the inner workings of toddlers, the fears,
strategies and characteristics which make them the joy and the enigma
they are to most of us! "The self - the ME - of the young child
emerges in this 18-month era with such force that it feels more
like a geologic event than a stage in development. After months
of figuring out what is me and not me in the world, children are
so anxious to put this new understanding to the test that we, as
parents, often feel that all we can do is direct traffic." (Chapter
4, pg. 52)
Dr.
Pruett describes the milestones and developments which take place
at lightening speed during this short time. He offers wonderful
anecdotes about children he has seen in his practice and uses them
as examples of what we can expect both in emotion and behaviour
from our tiny tots. The anecdotes combined with technical information
and the results of studies over the years serve to broaden parental
understanding of these often turbulent and confounding years while,
at the same time, offer concrete suggestions to parents on how to
encourage, reward, discipline and support their toddlers with love
and humor.
Dr.
Pruett attempts to explain the world as a toddler sees it, so that
we, as parents, may be better able to guide and nurture the natural
curiosity, energy and exuberance so evident in this period of life.
"Few parents miss the fact that imagination is a part of play, but
it is discouraging how many parents fail to understand the importance
of imagination to all aspects of a child's development." (Chapter
7, page 111)
The
book is also strongly pro attachment parenting and anti-corporal
punishment. Dr. Pruett is a firm believer in guidance as opposed
to domination over a child's behaviour. This is evident in every
chapter. "Attachment is built over time in the course of everyday
transactions when children learn that they can rely on their parents
for affection and encouragement and that they can trust their parents
to come to their aid." (Chapter 2, page 28)
In
short, this book is the "everything you ever wanted to know about
toddlers but were very afraid to ask" book that offers parents a
solid and reassuring foundation for guiding little ones through
this stage in life, and making the most of it.
Book
review by Nancy Gazzola
To Purchase:
• Me, Myself and I at Amazon.com
• Me, Myself and I at Amazon UK
• Me, Myself and I at Amazon Canada
