Essential Reading for Professionals and Parents
If you were only to buy one book on the latest in Childcare and Mental Health for Children, my top recommendation would be:
'What Every Parent Needs To Know’ - The Incredible Effects of Love, Nurture and Play on Your Child's Development (Formerly known as ‘The Science of Parenting’)
Dr. Margot Sunderland
London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd.
When you pick this book up, you can read it like a magazine - every snippet and picture gives you the ‘how to...’ you need to know as a parent or child professional if you want to help shape your child’s emotional development.
Margot studied for eight years with some of the top neuroscientists and has taken the incredibly complex science of the brain, and made it user-friendly. Margot informs us with some urgency, how crucial it is for us to understand this new science and the biochemistry of emotion. Acknowledging these scientific finds allows us to make the necessary changes in our child rearing practices from those vital baby years right through to our young adults.
A few of my other favourite recommendations in the field of Emotional Education that are accessible reads are: -
"The Parent/Child Game", London: Bloomsbury
Sue Jenner, 1999
Sue write as she talks, direct, honest, intelligently and with humour. Sound advice for getting the balance of encouragement and boundaries with children right.
"Why Love Matters - How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain"
Gerhardt, Sue. 2004.
A fascinating read, primarily about the science of the infant mind. Gerhardt speaks eloquently about the impact of parenting on building the young child's ability to relate with empathy and esteem.
Emotional Intelligence: Why it can Matter More Than IQ
Goleman, Daniel.
There were many of us excited about the coming of this book - Goleman is, of course, the man who popularised emotional intelligence. His book is an excellent blend of science, anecdotal and real-life examples as well as some suggestions for improvement. One of the best introductions around to Emotional Intelligence.
Goleman’s later venture:
"Social Intelligence: The new science of human relationships", is an update and well worth reading as a follow-up.
