Magical Parent Magical Child: the Optimum Learning Relationship

by Michael Mendizza, Joseph Chilton Pearce

Magical Parent: Magical Child helps adults rediscover the playful, childlike genius of their own nature as they guide, learn from and mentor children. Discovering and exploring this fresh creative energy transforms the adult, which results in radically different learning environments for children. Changing the adult changes the environment we call childhood, which transforms the child. When children mirror this new creative energy it cycles back and transforms the adult. We call this playful, reciprocal dynamic, the Optimum Learning Relationship.

Our goal is to redefine the adult-child relationship as a transformative practice as demanding and powerful as found in any monastery, martial art or athletic training camp. We optimize the adult-child interface by applying to parenting and to education the proven strategies that allow top athletes and other performance specialists to respond to ever changing and challenging environments with grace, peak performance and true intelligence. The results, we believe, are radically different human beings, and therefore a different culture than we see today. Joseph Chilton Pearce and Michael Mendizza believe that this work is truly revolutionary, unique and exactly right for today's parents, families, coaches and educators.

Genres: Parenting

220 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Caryn Hefferren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a while ago but am re-reading it. It's even better the second time. It's a very smart book. It discusses the human brain, psychology, evolution, and consciousness as they relate to parenting. This book makes me in awe of my amazing children and thankful for the opportunity to parent them.

[Alysa Volpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading this...sometimes it is a bit over simplified but it is very informative as far as understanding the brain development of young children.
As an adult I can take my son's behavior quite personally and this is a helpful guide to broaden my understanding of our shared experience.

[Elizabeth Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intellectual men blathering abstractly about the value of play. Get a grip, guys! Get down on the floor and do it!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book foundational to my parenting choices. May have been the book with the most influence on my choice of education for my two children. To summarize: All learning happens IN RELATIONSHIP.

[Acshi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very abstract discussion on the importance of play, without any real focus on case studies or examples about how to actually enact any of the ideas. The writing comes across as very judgemental at times: (paraphrasing) "punishment is violence in our society and rewards are just as violent because they set an agenda". Okay, maybe I agree with the point about not needing to control everything your child does, but let's talk about this more reasonably! In general, I found the book unconvincing about its big ideas, especially since there didn't seem to be any actual real children being talked about!

[Karina Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art and importance of play. Being in the zone for play. The importance of having optimum learning relationships. Lightly touches on intelligence and the brain. The origins of self. The different developmental states of learning (from reflexes to memory to play). Heart intelligence is talked about as well.

This book offers a sweet and important perspective on parenting and play. We get so wrapped up in tests these days that we forget how much children learn just through playing.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to get through, but certain parts of it were just mind blowing

[Juanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of information in this book. But if you get right down to it, the main message is to be mindful and present with your child. Second is to maintain boundaries with your child as appropriate.
This book does not like technology, and I always find this interesting where parents are lead to go with their children's interests, and for many children this includes television and movies and all sorts of technology. There is ample research indicating that too much technology isn't great for developing brains, however technology is here and I think there needs to be some embracing of it too.
There was a lot of discussion on how to educate children - the authors lean towards montessori and waldorf (the learning styles mentioned).
I found that the book seemed a little arrogant and judgmental at times and yet very wise in others. I want a parenting book that encompasses the reality of many parents where alternative learning is afforded by few and most kids attend public schools. Perhaps being mindful and present with our children as they go through conventional schooling is the first logical step.
Lots of food for thought.