Parental Resources Books

Parent Resources: Books
	Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 Shelov, S.P., & Hannemann, R.E. (Eds.). New York: Bantam. Produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics. An excellent resource on children's health and development. It contains over 350 illustrations and information on each stage of development ranging from a "health watch" to suitable toys and activities.
	Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Bredekamp, S., & Copple, C. (Eds.). (1997). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Published by the leading association of teachers of young children. It describes the stages of development for children from birth to age 8, and it lists activities that help them learn.
	Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care Spock, B. (1992, 6th ed.) In print for more than 50 years, this book is a standard parent’s reference. Covers childhood illnesses as well as child-rearing.
	The Family Manager's Guide for Working Moms Peel, K. (1997). New York: Ballantine Books. Offers working parents tips on organizing and simplifying their lives. It includes "pep talks" in the form of quotations from individuals ranging from Dr. Spock to Abraham Lincoln.
	Games to Play With Babies Silberg, J. (1993). Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House. First in a series of books on games parents can play with their children. In this book the games are organized into four sections: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, and 9-12 months. Each section includes a variety of games that help foster physical development, coordination, bonding, and other essential aspects of early development.
	Games to Play With Toddlers Silberg, J. (1993). Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House. A Collection of games parents can play with their children. The description of each game includes the types of development the games promotes.
	Games to Play With Two Year Olds Silberg, J. (1993). Beltsville, MD: Gryphon House. This collection contains games parents can play with their children. Each game helps develop important physical, language, intellectual, and other skills.
	How to Parent: The Indispensable Guide to Your Child's Formative Years Dodson, F. (1971). This best seller offers specific advice on how to help children develop from the crib to preschool. Dr. Dodson provides parent guides to children's books, records, and toys, and he lists free and low cost toys.
	The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon Elkind, D. (1988). New York: Addison-Wesley. This book recommends that children not be treated as if they are miniature adults. It also suggests that pressuring children to learn reading and writing can cause them to dislike school work.
	The Parent's Handbook : Systematic Training for Effective Parenting Dinkmeyer, D., Sr., McKay, G. D., Dinkmeyer, D., Jr., (1997). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service. This reference book explains how parents with different parenting styles can successfully deal with discipline and other issues.
	Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families Covey, S. R. (1997). New York: Golden Books. Best-selling author Steven Covey applies his "7 habits" formula for success to the family. He advises families to try, among other things, to set goals and to use problem-solving to avoid or end conflicts.
	Touchpoints: Your Child's Emotional and Behavioral Development Brazelton, T. B. (1992). New York: Addison Wesley. Written by the host of the television program "What Every Baby Knows," Touchpoints describes the emotional development of young children. Dr. Brazelton also offers reassuring explanations of the difference between problem behavior and strange, yet normal behavior.
	Toys "R" Us Toy Guide for Differently-abled Kids Toys "R" Us. (1997). (Available for free at all Toys "R" Us Stores.) Designed especially for children with disabilities, this guide is useful to all parents. The description of each toy indicates the thinking, social, visual, and other skills it helps develop.
	What to Expect the First Year Eisenberg, A., Murkoff, H. E., & Hathaway, S. E. (1996). New York: Workman. This reference tells parents what to expect at each month of their infant's development. It also includes helpful question-and-answer sections and a chart that describes common childhood illnesses.
	What to Expect During the Toddler Years Eisenberg, A., Murkoff, H. E., & Hathaway, S. E. (1996). New York: Workman. Organized by months, this book tells parents what to expect at each stage of their child's development. It also includes helpful facts about childhood illnesses, lengthy question-and-answer sections and reassuring information on normal behavior.
	The Working Parents' Handbook Sale, J. S., Kollenberg, K., & Melinkoff, E., (1996). New York: Simon & Schuster. Beginning with maternity leave, this handbook offers practical solutions to problems parents face in trying to balance work and family.
	You Are Your Child’s First Teacher Baldwin, R. Provides an overview of a parent’s role as a child’s first teacher.
	Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five Leach, P. (1997). New York: Knopf. Written from the child's point of view, this book contains excellent information on how to meet a child's needs. Leach gives especially good advice on how to deal with fussy children.
Disclaimer: Suggestions for books included in parent resources have been taken from a variety of sources and represent appropriate literature. The list has been compiled to assist parents and adult care givers in selecting books that provide information to nurture and stimulate a young child's development. It is by no means a complete and exhaustive listing of all available age appropriate literature.