The Secure Child: Helping Our Children Feel Safe And Confident In A Changing World

by Stanley I. Greenspan

In the wake of the events of September 11th, families have drawn closer together, recognizing the comfort that can be drawn from those we treasure most. But how do we help children feel secure longterm? And how can we recognize the signs of distress or anxiety in their behavior that tell us that they need our help?In The Secure Child, Dr. Stanley Greenspan offers a set of guiding principles that will help parents of children at each age -- from preschoolers to teenagers -- both reassure and guide them so that they feel secure in their homes, their schools, and in their community at large. In addition. Greenspan illuminates the often subtle shifts in children's behavior that signal reaction to the current stress and fears and gives parents concrete suggestions to help children handle their anxieties and look to the future with confidence and optimism. From showing parents how to allow children to talk about their feelings to giving them concrete ways to contribute to national healing efforts, this profoundly wise book will help families everywhere move towards the common goal of a more stable and secure future.

Genres: Parenting

180 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2002

About the author

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stanley Greenspan (June 1, 1941 – April 27, 2010)[1] was an American child psychiatrist and clinical professor of Psychiatry, Behavioral Science, and Pediatrics at George Washington University Medical School. He was best known for developing the floortime approach for attempting to treat children with autistic spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities.[2]

He was Chairman of the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental and Learning Disorders and also a Supervising Child Psychoanalyst at the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. A graduate of Harvard College and Yale Medical School,[2] Greenspan was the founding president of Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families and former director of the National Institute of Mental Health's Clinical Infant Developmental Program and Mental Health Study Center.[3]

Reviews

[Kayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a bit dated. It refers often to the events of 9/11 and how to reassure children about the risk of terrorist attacks. However, the advice seems sound and could be applied much more generally. The author is a big advocate of "floor time" where a caregiver lets the child "take the lead" in imaginative play. He says this is a safe outlet for negative feelings, including aggression. Caregivers can gradually introduce problem-solving within the child's plot.

[Catherine Mikkelsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a handy little book, which should be read in conjunction with other books on parenting. Dr. Greenspan is a very well-respected expert on children's emotional development, and the things he describes in this book can help a parent to structure their parenting in a way that supports a secure, resilient child.

[Sunnee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read. I like that the book is separated by age group and focuses in on potential stresses and insecurities each group faces, but the book can be boiled down to one sentence: Spend time with your children and listen to them.

[Kelly Nesbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 2001 post 9/11 I believe, so a tad bit dated, however the themes are still relevant. Good description of DIR floortime levels in an accessible manner that can be shared with parents for educational purposes.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose this is a decent book on general parenting, although it's written as if you are starting from scratch in terms of how to be a parent. However, there is very little information that relates to the title. E.g. their recommendations are to have a good relationship and how to to play with your kid. Oh well.

One positive is that the first chapter summarizes the take home message, which is nice (the rest of the book is details). The four principles are: 1) spend time together as a family, 2) expressing feelings, 3) reassurance, 4) contribution and helping others. The last one perhaps is something we don't think about, at least in terms of how it can contribute to feelings of security.

[Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always eager to learn new insight on how to help my children feel confident, secure and loved. This book is helping me with all this and surprises me by addressing things I didn't think of before. I just wish I had a photogenic memory so I could remember all this in order to apply it better to my parenting.

[Vicki]

Ways of coping with kids that feel insecure about school, the outside world, etc.