An innovative road map to help parents bring creative play, quality relationships, and a sense of confidence and personal safety back into their kids' lives

One only need turn on the TV, stroll the aisles of any toy store, or visit any American elementary school to witness the formidable social trends that, over the past few decades, have begun to erode the quality of kids' livesfrom media violence and rampant consumerism, to overly structured school days and overly wired (yet emotionally disconnected) relationships. What parent doesn't think back longingly to a time when carefree play with other kids and a simpler life was the norm? Childhood should be a precious time of oasis from the realities of the adult world, yet in today's fast-paced, achievement-obsessed, ever-more-dangerous society, this is increasingly not the case.

Based on renowned early childhood development expert Nancy Carlsson-Paige's thirty years of researching and writing about young children, this groundbreaking book helps parents navigate the cultural currents shaping, and too often harming, the lives of kids today and restore childhood to the very best of what it can and should be.

There are three attributes critical to all children's healthy development, Carlsson-Paige explains: time and space for creative play, a feeling of security in today's often frightening world, and strong, meaningful relationships with both adults and other childrenattributes that we, as a society, are failing to protect and nurture. Grounded in child development theory and research, Taking Back Childhood reveals practical, hands-on steps parents can take to create a safe, open, and imaginative environment in which kids can relish childhood and flourish as human beings.

"Carlsson-Paige, a professor of early childhood education and conflict resolution at Lesley University and consultant for several PBS television shows, has a lot of practical advice for parents who want to build better — nonviolent, caring, creative — relationships with their children. Children don't need electronic gizmos and 'brainy' software, she maintains; they do need lots of creative play opportunities, a strong sense of personal security and positive relationships with other children and adults. Carlsson-Paige encourages parents to model problem solving and cooperative behavior for their children. Thus, parents shouldn't use 'power over' their kids (issuing orders, calling time-outs), but instead try 'power sharing,' getting on the same side of a problem with the kids and figuring out a resolution together. Parents should stop buying pre-scripted media-based toys (Power Rangers, Nemo spinoffs) and instead buy 'open-ended toys' like blocks and modeling clay that allow children to expand their creativity. There is not much new here, and Carlsson-Paige is often preaching to the choir, but readers will want to believe in her argument that compassionate parenting will produce a less violent and more humane world." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Dr. Carlsson-Paige is dedicated to the well-being of children. In Taking Back Childhood, she provides real-life examples for preserving children's creative play and relationships from the unhealthy onslaught of media and technological distractions. I highly recommend it."

Alvin F. Poussaint, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and Judge Baker Children's Center

"Taking Back Childhood brims with practical advice for the challenges parents face today. Nancy Carlsson-Paige speaks with emotional wisdom."

Daniel Goleman, author of the New York Times bestsellers Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence

"If you are like most parents, you're worried about the new realities of childhood &violence, sexualization, the speed-up of daily life, materialism &topics which are not adequately covered in the classic parenting guides. How much TV? What to do when a child is disrespectful? What's causing the tantrums or excessive anxiety? Nancy Carlsson-Paige's"brilliant new book shows parents how to"navigate the treacherous waters of our culture, and our children's reactions to it."Based on decades of"research, teaching,"and practice in the philosophy of child-development, she returns us to the basic needs of creativity, security, and connection. As you read it, I suspect it will not only profoundly affect how you parent, but also how you live your own life."Taking Back Childhood deserves to take its place among the classics, read and re-read by parents everywhere."

Juliet B. Schor, author of Born to Buy; Professor of Sociology, Boston College

"With Taking Back Childhood, Dr. Carlsson-Paige explains the many ways our culture and media are threatening our children's healthy development. She gives adults concrete strategies for fighting back. Today's parents need this book."

Marian Wright Edelman, President, Children's Defense Fund

Based on renowned early childhood development expert Carlsson-Paige's 30 years of research, this groundbreaking book helps parents navigate the cultural currents shaping, and too often harming, the lives of kids today and restore childhood to the very best of what it can and should be.

Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed.D., is a nationally celebrated scholar of early childhood education. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, and on NPR, the Discovery Channel, and ABC. She is an ongoing consultant on several PBS Kids shows, including Arthur, Zoom, and Fetch, and is an active public speaker and guest lecturer across the country.