Synopses & Reviews
With all of the conflicting advice published on childrearing, it is difficult for parents to determine which sources of child development literature are the best to follow. Sclafani helps readers to access the appropriate research-based findings. He highlights the different approaches to childrearing and provides practical advice about which approaches work best and why. His expertise, drawn from 20 years of teaching and practicing child psychology and family therapy, make him amply qualified to tackle this important subject. This volume provides parents with understandable, straightforward information to help them be more effective and positive in their interactions with their children.
Sclafani covers topics that are relevant to all effective parenting. He starts by acknowledging that the process of parenting is a unique set of behaviors based upon values rooted in ethnicity, culture, and family of origin. Next, attachment, temperament, are parenting style are explained in detail, along with the subjects of family structure and discipline. An entire chapter is devoted to exploring the role of parents in their child's education process. Divorce and re-marriage effects on children and ways for parents to minimize harmful long-term effects are reviewed. The often conflicting research on day care placement and its effects are appraised and considered. Also included is information on managing stress levels within families. Finally, there is a chapter on special topics issues including adoption and chronic illness in children.
Review
Sclafani deals comprehensively with fundamental parenting issues such as development, family systems, fatherhood, parental modeling, discipline, divorce, education, day care, and stress. Retaining both content and clarity, he explains child psychology in a manner accessible to lay readers. Best of all, Sclafani shows parents how to integrate research findings with daily parenting practice. This book supplements, and may well supplant, the works of T. Berry Brazelton and Penelope Leach. Highly recommended.Library Journal
Review
Sclafani weaves theory and data in this thoughtful book. Several strong chapters summarize the knowledge and specific recommendations related to common issues faced by families; for example, day care, divorce, and fatherhood. Other chapters cover topics unique to general resources on parenting: adoption, children with serious illnesses, and the loss of a treasured pet. This is not a book to be read cover to cover; rather readers should take time after each topic of discussion to process information and viewpoints presented....Crossing several disciplines--psychology, education, sociology--this is a solid resource for a broad audience. Essential. Lower-division undergraduates through graduate students; faculty; professionals; general readers.Choice
Synopsis
With all of the conflicting advice published on childrearing, it is difficult for parents to determine which sources of child development literature are the best to follow. Sclafani helps readers to access the appropriate research-based findings. He highlights the different approaches to childrearing and provides practical advice about which approaches work best and why. His expertise, drawn from 20 years of teaching and practicing child psychology and family therapy, make him amply qualified to tackle this important subject. This volume provides parents with understandable, straightforward information to help them be more effective and positive in their interactions with their children.
Synopsis
Compares popular beliefs to actual research results to show how parenting behaviors influence child outcomes and offers practical advice on how to be sensitive to a child's needs while dealing with everyday challenges.
About the Author
JOSEPH D. SCLAFANI is Associate Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Tampa.