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The Happiest Toddler on the Block
by Harvey Karp, M.D.
Dr. Karp teaches parents how to effectively cope with the challenges of toddlerhood while building self esteem
Dr. Harvey Karp, America’s favorite pediatrician, returns to coach parents through the challenges of toddler hood in the follow up to his original bestseller on caring for infants, “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” Parents who find themselves gritting their teeth in the grocery store checkout line while watching their toddler throw yet another public tantrum will find immediate relief within the pages of this brilliant sequel. The author combines his intuitive understanding of toddler behaviors and vast medical knowledge to explain universal toddler behaviors, the communication issues underlying most of these challenges, and effective techniques for improving behaviors.
Karp’s positive approach is based on his theory that effective communication techniques can soothe frustration and lead to improved behavior. He labels the toddler’s communication style as “toddler-ease,” which is best described as the use of basic, repetitive words while using exaggerated facial expressions and dramatic vocal intonations. For example, a mother whose child who wants to get out of the high chair in a busy restaurant might say, “Out, out, out, mommy, bored, bored, bored, out right now, now, now” using exaggerated facial expressions and gestures. While some may feel silly initially, most will find the suggestions so effective that the feeling will quickly disappear and be replaced with relief and amazement that these tools actually work. The take home message is that it is not what is said that is important, but how it is said.
One hang-up in the book for some parents is the author’s comparison of toddler’s communication abilities to those of the historic cavemen. While some parents may find this to be distasteful, his point is based on sound medical information. It is well known by the medical and psychological communities that neural development begins with conceptions and ends during the early 20s. Karp’s point is a toddler’s level of brain development does not yet allow for in depth verbal communication, and that until it does, simple words and phrases using strong nonverbals are both effective and soothing. A parent’s willingness to communicate accurate understanding and empathy for a young child’s experience sends the message that his or her feelings are important enough to be understood, thereby promoting healthy self esteem.
Many thankful parents may be left wondering how they ever survived this stage of parenthood without Karp’s gentle, positive direction. This book holds the potential to make parenthood more fun and satisfying and leaves the reader feeling empowered to effect positive change. The price of the book is a small one to pay for one’s own sanity. Here’s to the hope that Karp will create a trilogy in which his third masterpiece is entitled, “The Happiest Adolescent on the Block.”
Title: The Happiest Toddler on the Block
Author: Harvey Karp, M.D.
Publisher: Bantam Dell
ISBN: 0-553-38143-1
Review written by: Lisa Benton, Psy.D.
Reviewer's Rating:9
Reader's Rating: 10.00
Reader's Votes: 1
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