REVIEWS OF LAY LITERATURE ON CHILD CARE: WHAT PARENTS ARE READING

[摘要] Dreikurs R, Stoltz V. Children: The Challenge. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Dutton; 1987; list price $7.95 (#9 on the 1988 bestseller list of books on child care of the Ingram Book Co, distributors of trade books).Dreikurs considers development based on the mutual regulation between parent and child. Addressing issues in discipline and behavior from infancy to early adolescence, he perceives the parents' role as model, nurturer, and instructor, although mothers are given more responsibility for child-care than fathers. Various methods are offered for resolving conflicts in a range of typical problem situations. Techniques involve active listening, use of natural consequences, limit setting, etc. From toilet training to sibling rivalry, children's motives for misbehavior are explained. The text illustrates both theory and practice in child-rearing so that the principles learned are not only corrective and instructive, but also preventive. The difficulties of parenthood, peer, media, and sibling pressures are addressed but not the needs of special children. There is some presumption that families are intact and that a homemaker is present. The book is well-organized and rated as easy to read. Fairly believable vignettes illustrate parents' and children's contributions to situations of conflict. A section at the end of the book gives parents an opportunity to practice and review newly learned skills and principles.

[学科分类] 儿科学