The Intuitive Parent

Description

You already have everything you need to raise a healthy, happy, intelligent child. You already have everythingyou need to raise a healthy,happy, intelligent child Parenting today is practically a competitivesport, and marketers are all too happy to cashin. Scare tactics and scientific-sounding jargonmake it seem like parents are in constant dangerof hard-wiring their children's brains for failure. In fact, this state of parental anxiety is totallyunnecessary-and possibly bad for our children.Babies are born with an appetite to learn. Childrenare naturally curious about the world and eager toexplore it. They don't need flashcards, educationalvideos, or the latest iPad app to help speed theirdevelopment. Attempts to get children speakingand reading before they're developmentally readymay even harm them in the long run. In The Intuitive Parent, Vanderbilt Universitychild development specialist Dr. Stephen Camaratadebunks the claims many of these "braindevelopment" programs make. Using accessible,down-to-earth language he explains how parentscan intuitively support their child's brain developmentby simply paying attention. Babies andchildren develop at their own pace; what's more,they are hardwired to signal to caregivers whenthey're ready for the next step. Restrictive toolslike flashcards may derail your child's ability tolearn holistically-and will definitely sap the joyfrom one of the most important jobs in the world-being a parent. The key is to recognize the "ready to learn"cues your child is giving you and respond in away that comes naturally. Routine activities, suchas playing peekaboo, reading books to a toddler,talking, singing, feeding, and otherwise meetingthe everyday needs of a child, are the true magicthat ultimately wires a child's brain and helps childrenbecome an intelligent, confident, curious,and talented adults. Grounded in the latest science by a nationallyrecognized child development expert, The IntuitiveParent arms parents and caregivers with the confidenceand knowledge they need to quit worryingand enjoy the time they have with their child-nofancy gadgets or pricey videos necessary.

STEPHEN M. CAMARATA, PhD has raised seven children and isa professor in the departmentof psychiatry and a professor ofhearing and speech sciencesat Vanderbilt University Schoolof Medicine. He is also an associate professor ofspecial education at Peabody College at Vanderbiltand the author of Late-Talking Children. Helives in Nashville, Tennessee. From the Hardcover edition.

"Stephen Camarata is the world's expert on late-talking children, and one of the world's experts on cognitive and social disorders of childhood. In addition to being a distinguished researcher, Camarata is known for his judicious evaluations of diagnoses and treatments of childhood disorders, many of which are closer to snake oil than solid science. In The Intuitive Parent Camarata mixes scientific judgment with common sense and a humane concern for the well-being of children and their terrified parents. This book is guaranteed to improve the welfare of children, protect the sanity (and wallets) of parents, and infuriate the quacks who prey on them." -Steven Pinker, professor of psychology, Harvard University; author of The Better Angels of Our Nature "In The Intuitive Parent, Dr. Camarata tells you to trust your judgment and do what comes naturally-intuitively-as a parent. As a pediatrician and a parent, I know it is important to do what he says: relax and answer your child's amazing questions. Not only is it fun, but as Dr. Camarata explains so well, you are assisting healthy brain development." -Dr. Ed McCabe, senior vice president and chief medical officer, March of Dimes "Stephen Camarata, PhD and father of seven, has two important messages for worried parents: follow your child's lead and enjoy the moment. This book is a welcome antidote to flashcards and tutors for two year olds." -Erika Hoff, PhD, professor of psychology, Florida Atlantic University; author of Language Development