Reclaming Childhood

An expert in child development champions the importance of an unhurried childhood As our children are pushed harder than ever to perform so that they will one day "make the grade" in the adult world, parents are beginning to question the wisdom of scheduling childhood's basic pleasures. Across the country there have been parent rebellions against the overburdening with homework of young children by school officials bent on improving standardized test scores. And the "birth to three" movement has sparked a national debate on child development and educational policy. In Reclaiming Childhood, William C. Crain argues that rather than trying to control a young child, the best a parent can offer is "a patient and unobtrusive presence that gives the child the security and the freedom to explore the world on her own." He examines how children find their way to natural development through experiences with nature, art, and language, and makes a strong case for child-centered education-a movement that may be under fire, but that is very much alive.

Children are cooped up, passive, apathetic and corrupted by commerce... or so we are told. Reclaiming Childhood confronts the dangerous myths spun about modern childhood. Yes, children today are losing out on many experiences past generations took for granted, but their lives have improved in so many other ways. This book exposes the stark consequences on child development of both our low expectations of fellow human beings and our safety-obsessed culture. Rather than pointing the finger at soft ‘junk’ targets and labelling children as fragile and easily damaged, Helene Guldberg argues that we need to identify what the real problems are – and how much they matter. We need to allow children to grow and flourish, to balance sensible guidance with youthful independence. That means letting children play, experiment and mess around without adults hovering over them. It means giving children the opportunity to develop the resilience that characterises a sane and successful adulthood. Guldberg suggests ways we can work to improve children’s experiences, as well as those of parents, teachers and ‘strangers’ simply by taking a step back from panic and doom-mongering.

In "Wired Child," child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Richard Freed exposes the powerful myths that underlie our kids' use of technology. These myths have encouraged the "wiring up" of a generation of youth, seducing kids to spend endless hours with digital self-amusements that damage family bonding and education, and put kids at risk of addiction. Written for parents, teachers, and others who care for children, "Wired Child" uses the science of behavior and brain function to provide a common-sense guide to build the strong families children and teens need, promote their success in school, limit their risk of tech addiction, and encourage their productive use of technology.

At a time when literacy has become more of a political issue than a research or pedagogical one, this volume refocuses attention on work with young children that places them at the center of their literacy worlds. Drawing on robust and growing knowledge which is often marginalized because of political and legislative forces, it explores young children’s literacies as inclusive, redefined, and broadened—encompassing technologies, the arts, multiple modalities, and teaching and learning for democracy, cultural sustainability and social justice. Highlighted themes include children’s rights to grow through playful engagements with multiple literacies to interrogate their worlds; adults who expand and inspire children’s consciousness and awareness of others and the world around them; the centrality of meaning making in all aspects of language and literacy development; a deep respect for diversities, including languages, cultures, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and more; and an expansive understanding of the nature of texts.

Are you outwardly successful but inwardly do you feel like a big kid? Do you aspire to be a loving parent but all too often “lose it” in hurtful ways? Do you crave intimacy but sometimes wonder if it’s worth the struggle? Or are you plagued by constant vague feelings of anxiety or depression? If any of this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing the hidden but damaging effects of a painful childhood—carrying within you a “wounded inner child” that is crying out for attention and healing. In this powerful book, John Bradshaw shows how we can learn to nurture that inner child, in essence offering ourselves the good parenting we needed and longed for. Through a step-by-step process of exploring the unfinished business of each developmental stage, we can break away from destructive family rules and roles and free ourselves to live responsibly in the present. Then, says Bradshaw, the healed inner child becomes a source of vitality, enabling us to find new joy and energy in living. Homecoming includes a wealth of unique case histories and interactive techniques, including questionnaires, letter-writing to the inner child, guided meditations, and affirmations. Pioneering when introduced, these classic therapies are now being validated by new discoveries in attachment research and neuroscience. No one has ever brought them to a popular audience more effectively and inspiringly than John Bradshaw.

“An important, compassionate book.” — Deepak Chopra “Parents! If you hava child in pain, read this book. There is hope.” — James Campbell, M.D., Professor of Jeurological Surgery and Director, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Founder and President, American Pain Foundation “An outstanding book for parents of children and adolescents with chronic pain. I recommend it highly.” — Charles Berde, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, Boston; Professor of Anaesthesia and Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School “A valuable and important book that will be appreciated by every family struggling with a child in pain.” — Neil L. Schechter, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine; Director, Pain Relief Program, Connecticut Children's Medical Center “Reassuring and informative. Parents will gain hope when they discover the many available treatment options.” — Kenneth R. Goldschneider, M.D., F.A.A.P., Director, Division of Pain Management, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Susmita Kashikar-Zuck, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center “I hope Dr. Zeltzer continues to do subjective research on yoga so that the young generation regains freedom from pain...” — B.K.S. Iyengar “A wonderful book! Dr. Zeltzer’s approach is loving, respectful, upbeat, and best of all - successful.” — Laura Schanberg, M.D., Associate Professor, Pediatric Rheumatology, Duke University Medical Center “A must-read for any patient with chronic pain.” — Steven J. Weisman, M.D., Jane B. Pettit Chair in Pain Management, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin “Now [Dr. Zeltzer’s] wisdom is available to all.” — Patrick J. McGrath, O.C., Ph.D., F.R.S.C., Canadian Institutes of Health Research Distinguished Scientist; Killam Professor of Psychology and Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Dalhousie University “This is an amazingly caring, competent, and useful book. It opens your mind but also your heart...” — Vanna Axia, Ph.D., Professor of Developmental Psychology, Child Neuro-psychiatry Specialization School, School of Medicine; Director “All [Dr. Zeltzer’s] work has resulted in real solutions for children and their parents.” — David Geffen “One of the few [books] for laypeople on chronic pain in children.” — Washington Post “Informative, practical, and well written.” — Pediatric Pain Letter

There's hope for childhood. Despite a perfect storm of hostile forces that are robbing children of a healthy childhood, courageous parents and teachers who know what's best for children are turning the tide. Johann Christoph Arnold, whose books on education, parenting, and relationships have helped more than a million readers through life's challenges, draws on the stories and voices of parents and educators on the ground, and a wealth of personal experience. He surveys the drastic changes in the lives of children, but also the groundswell of grassroots advocacy and action that he believes will lead to the triumph of common sense and time-tested wisdom. Arnold takes on technology, standardized testing, overstimulation, academic pressure, marketing to children, over-diagnosis and much more, calling on everyone who loves children to combat these threats to childhood and find creative ways to help children flourish. Every parent, teacher, and childcare provider has the power to make a difference, by giving children time to play, access to nature, and personal attention, and most of all, by defending their right to remain children.