The Tending Years: Understanding Your Child’s Earliest Rituals

by J. L. Shattuck

Every day you meet your child’s spiritual and emotional needs—you just don’t know it. In this short, accessible, and comforting book, expert J.L. Shattuck provides insight into your child’s earliest rituals. Have you ever wondered why your toddler will only drink from a specific cup, or only eat if you turn mealtime into a game? Have you ever found yourself following along with—and maybe even enjoying—your child’s increasingly elaborate bedtime routines? In The Tending Understanding Your Child’s Earliest Rituals , J.L. Shattuck argues that these behaviors are not just habits but rituals—patterns of behavior young children naturally develop to reassure themselves they are safe and loved. Shattuck draws on child developmental theory and more than two decades of experience as a teacher, religious educator, and parent to explore the spiritual roots of this behavior. She demonstrates how adults and young children instinctively work together to support each other’s growth during this unique developmental period. Unlike parenting books that ask you to change the way you interact with your child, this easy-to-read volume details the ways in which you’re already tending to your child’s needs and offers inspiration and support to help you through the preschool years and beyond.

144 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2023

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and insightful, a slightly different angle on understanding the behavior of preschoolers and a deeply compassionate and hopeful guide for how caregivers can enter into relationship with preschoolers as a spiritual practice and opportunity to learn and grow themselves.

[Sarah S. Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every caregiver for young children should pick up this warmly reassuring book. Shattuck looks at the all the major areas of preschool life and considers what psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs certain behaviors are fulfilling. So many parenting books focus on changing the things you are doing wrong; this book helps caregivers to see what they are already doing well and inspires them to treat themselves and the children in their lives with respect and compassion.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wisdom and re-framing the challenges of parenting. Highly recommend to any caregivers of little ones!