My First Five Years: A Developmental Photo Album

DO YOU SOMETIMES WONDER WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON INSIDE THE HEAD OF YOUR BABY? ARE YOU CURIOUS HOW CHILDREN LEARN TO ENTERTAIN THEMSELVES? DID YOU KNOW THAT CRYING MAY WELL BE A SIGN OF HEALTHY ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUR BABY? ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT HELPING YOUR CHILD DEVELOP SELF-ESTEEM? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE WAY EARLY FEEDING EXPERIENCES RELATE TO LATER HASSLES AROUND FOOD? There are many books and programs which tell parents how and when to wean, toilet train, feed, speak to and show love to the growing child. "My First Five Years: A Developmental Photo Album" does not tell you what to say to your child. The author feels strongly that with some understanding of the concepts portrayed in this book and a "good enough" desire to nurture: "... you are then free to get a lot of interest out of looking to see what happens in the development of the baby while you are enjoying responding to his or her needs." (D.W. Winnicott "The Child, the Family and the Outside World," 1964, p. 29) "My First Five Years" focuses on children's feelings and needs rather than at what age a baby should turn over, coo, babble, get a tooth or learn to use the potty. This book reflects the author's many years of experience as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and pediatric nurse, as well as the theories of Selma Fraiberg, Penelope Leach, Margaret S. Mahler, Rene Spitz, D.W. Winnicott and other giants in the field of child development. The information is presented from the child's point of view in language that is clear and free of psychological jargon. The black and white photos which accompany the text are of children and parents in a variety of everyday settings -- their own homes, playgrounds and day care centers. The participants are all volunteers from Asian, black and white families, and the photos are unposed. The book is divided into five sections: Introduction, The First Year, 12 to 18 Months, 18 to 36 Months, and 3, 4 and 5 Years. Since children normally grow, acquire skills and achieve competence at different ages, the age ranges are deliberately broad. It is neither wise nor possible to pinpoint the age at which any one skill or capability is achieved. This photo album appeals to anyone who interacts with a small child: parents, grandparents, child care workers, teachers, students of child development, pediatricians, baby-sitters and anyone else who is interested in children. Readers will see echoes of their own families in the many photos, which make the information easy and fun to absorb.