10 Best Books for Thinking Parents

10 Best Books for Thinking Parents

This month the Parents magazine put out there top Books for Thinking parents. We love this list and Dr Omara added one at the end. Also click on the link below to see Dr Joplings Book resource list! We hope as your children are reading this summer you can pick up one of these books for yourself! Happy Reading

1. Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky
Here's a book that requires a highlighter and notepad - it's really exceptional. The seven essential skills, according to Galinsky, are 1. Focus and Self Control, 2. Perspective Taking, 3. Communicating, 4. Making Connections, 5. Critical Thinking, 6. Taking On Challenges, 7. Self-Directed, Engaged Learning. A must-read!

2. NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
This book will change everything you think! The authors take the latest science and apply it to parenting in areas like motivation, praise, sibling relationships, sleep, and more.

3. Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential by Eileen Kennedy Moore, PhD Mark S Lowenthal, PsyD
This book is exceptionally helpful! It talks about tempering perfectionism and tells us parents to resist giving pointers to our kids (aka. shut up and listen, in my words.) I loved the chapters on temperament, sensitivity, cooperation, joy, and . . . heck, it's all good.
Read an exerpt on Goodreads.

4. Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder by Mariah Bruehl
Bruehl is a former teacher who makes play and learning accessible to parents at home with kids. I loved this book and highlighted at least half.

5. Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn – and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D. & Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D.
Parents, before you put your child into preschool, READ THIS BOOK. The research overwhelmingly shows the difference in how play is essential for child development in math, reading, verbal communication, science, self-awareness and social skills. NOT academics. It's very compelling.

6. Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by John Medina
The science of a child's growing brain is explained in layman's terms by the hilarious Medina. Check out his online videos, too - they're great.

7. No Regrets Parenting: Turning Long Days and Short Years into Cherished Moments with Your Kids by Harley Robart, M.D.
A quick read with gifts of wisdom for busy parents about being present in the life of our children.

8. Different Learners: Identifying, Preventing, and Treating Your Child’s Learning Problems by Jane M. Healy, Ph.D.
An eye-opening book that synthesizes the latest brain research and helps us understand what learning issues are genetically based and which are triggered, or both. Not only that, this book explains how to nurture a child's brain versus trigger learning problems.

9. Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
I got a lot out of this book about reducing the amount of clutter, even reducing sensory overload. I loved how this book helped me with routine and ritual. It's fantastic!

10. Fun On the Run by Cynthia L. Copeland
I keep this book with me - it's got lots of creative ideas for things to do anywhere - waiting at the doctor's office, restaurants, car rides, it's an essential

 

Dr Omara's book suggestion:

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv (Apr 10, 2008)

Dr Joplings link to his Resource Book list

*info from Parents magazine Click here for full article