So This Is Normal Too?

by Deborah Hewitt

Effective and practical solutions to respond to common skill lags and behavior challenges

During the preschool years, children are beginning to gain cognitive skills and developing internal controls to regulate their emotions. While some young children may quickly learn these skills, other children may lack interest, find them difficult to perform, or exhibit challenging behaviors. Lags in skill development and challenging behaviors are normal but can still be improved upon. This book will help you identify and set goals for children who need more specific planning and support.

New to this second
Early learning standard links to common skill lags and challenging behaviors
Research on brain development
Ideas for working with dual-language learners
Information on the impact of stress on children
An updated planning form to help you work with families to develop goal statements and a course of action
Revised reproducible handouts for parents that include suggestions for skills and behaviors children need to develop to ensure future learning and success

280 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

Reviews

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's very interesting and helpful about this book is that each chapter / behavior is separated into two parts: one for educators and one for parents. These sections are usually nearly identical, but I feel like this is really handy if you need to provide quick information to a parent who doesn't know how to handle a situation. The book was also had several very interesting tips and suggestions for dealing with some frustrating situations.

I didn't like that there were certain chapters where everything seemed to be kept very vague. The point of a book like this is to take the vagueness out of handling a behavior. I also am not sure I consider "Superhero Play" a developmental issue. I think it's only natural for children to want to imitate characters they see on television; I mean, who wouldn't want to be the guy/gal/turtle that saves the world on a daily basis and eats pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? I appreciate that the authors emphasized that it's good for the imagination and helps children distinguish between such concepts as right and wrong, and fantasy and pretend. I just became annoyed at the idea that superhero play may be a challenging behavior that promotes violence, especially as a child of the "Ninja Turtles," "Power Rangers," "G.I. Joe," "Ghostbusters," and "Legend of Zelda" era (believe me, I could go on with that list, but that was my restrained version).

Overall, not a bad read if you work with or have a small child. It's also a fairly quick read, as the second half of each chapter is just the first repeated - for the most part, that is. I still skimmed through the second half to pick up any differences or additional strategies. At the end of each chapter was also a "Plan of Action" template and a list of sample goals and strategies. Definitely a handy quick reference.

[Amber]

1 copy available