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Playful Parenting
 
 
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Playful Parenting [Paperback]

Lawrence J. Cohen
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (1 April 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0345442865
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345442864
  • Product Dimensions: 13.9 x 1.8 x 20.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lawrence J. Cohen PhD
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Product Description

Product Description


Have you ever stepped back to watch what really goes on when your children play? As psychologist Lawrence J. Cohen points out, play is children’s way of exploring the world, communicating deep feelings, getting close to those they care about, working through stressful situations, and simply blowing off steam. That’s why “playful parenting” is so important and so successful in building strong, close bonds between parents and children. Through play we join our kids in their world–and help them to

• Express and understand complex emotions
• Break through shyness, anger, and fear
• Empower themselves and respect diversity
• Play their way through sibling rivalry
• Cooperate without power struggles

From eliciting a giggle during baby’s first game of peekaboo to cracking jokes with a teenager while hanging out at the mall, Playful Parenting is a complete guide to using play to raise confident children. Written with love and humor, brimming with good advice and revealing anecdotes, and grounded in the latest research, this book will make you laugh even as it makes you wise in the ways of being an effective, enthusiastic parent.

Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
Think about the loving gaze of an infant, the no-holds-barred embrace of a toddler, the intimacy of a shared bedtime story, or a silent hand-in-hand walk. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
A great, great book 18 May 2008
By A J
Format:Paperback
I totally agree with the other positive reviews: it's a great book and I cannot recommend it enough to all parents, carers or even people in general, because the emphasis on connection and playfulness is important in any type of relationship - though of course the subject here is parenting. I've seen books about parenting which use some spiritual vocabulary such as inner light and soul, which rather puts me off. This one does have one or two metaphors (e.g. it talks about the tower of powerlessness) but they do make sense and help bring the point across. There's a lot of good stuff here (e.g. practical suggestions on how to deal in certain situations) but for me the most valuable chapters were those towards the end which deal with the issue of discipline. The author put in words the feelings I've always had about punishment. He sees most 'misbehaviour' as just a matter of disconnection. It makes perfect sense that rather than using punishment to deal with it - which will in fact deepen the disconnection - we should rather try to re-establish the connection. One of the ways of connecting with our kids is playfulness and so Cohen strongly encourages us to engage with our kids in a playful way as much as possible and use our sense of humour in our daily encounters with them. Using his words: "You will do a much better job of teaching your values and getting cooperation with your rules by being playful than by being stern".
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108 of 110 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Your child defies you. What do you do? I'm tempted to crack down on the kid. This book shows how to turn the confrontation into connection while still setting limits. The author, Lawrence Cohen, restores joy to parenting--playing with your child becomes healing and nurturing for both of you. Cohen provides specific examples of play you can use in the whole range of difficult encounters with children. Especially valuable are his explanations of the fear and anger that underlie particular types of defiant statements by children, and his examples of play that can defuse the anger and ameliorate the fear. This book even speaks--implicitly--to adults' fears and anger, explaining how to get over old emotions. If I had to choose one book to give to a new parent, this would be the one--although I'd also be tempted to provide "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby." But the Cohen book will, in the long run, provide more help and provide it over the child's entire time at home. A word about its readability: Five-star. It is amazing that this author can write so clearly and in such an entertaining way, and at the same time provide a crucial new way to connect with a child. The book is a revelation and a delight.
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58 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I read most of the parenting books that come out, because I am always interested in learning more, but most of them are just rehashes of old news, or full of unhelpful advice. This one is different. Lawrence Cohen really understands children, and parents. He writes about how important it is to get down on the floor and play with children at their level in their world--the world of play. Then he goes on to offer an entirely fresh--and very workable--approach to everything from discipline to sibling rivalry. He tells funny and useful anecdotes about using these teschniques with his daughter and with other kids. read it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very good
I ordered this book just by chance when ordering another book and I'm sure glad I did . It has helped me a lot with my 6 year old. Read more
Published 3 months ago by snowy667
This book is an absolute must have.
I have read so many parenting books, simply to learn more about my children and how to make sure they are happy and well adjusted. A lot of them are rubbish to be honest. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Gins
Best parenting book ever!
I have read many parenting books. This is the best one of the lot (Libby Purves comes a not so close second). Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jazzgirl
ONE OF THE BEST PARENTING BOOKS I HAVE READ
I have not finished reading this book as yet but it is GREAT! So simple yet it changes your perspective of your children and how you interact with them. Read more
Published 11 months ago by camille1114
waaah!
This book sets out to encourage parents to play with their children more, on the child's level. It has some good suggestions for making your time together closer and more fun,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Bristol bound
Entertaining read- sound advice
This book had me in stitches! I actually laughted out loud every page- Lawrence J.Cohen besides being a great writer and child psychologist is a seriously funny guy! Read more
Published 12 months ago by smh
Incredible book for raising children.
Just loved this book from start to finish. Its not just about play, its about understanding your kids and yourself but without getting too heavy and complicated. Read more
Published 14 months ago by sarahloo
One of the best books on parenting ever!
My son is two, I read the book twice so far, and I am sure I will read it many more times as he grows and develops. Read more
Published 14 months ago by L Rainbow
Best parenting book for challenging children
I LOVE this book.

I have read many many parenting books, mainly because my eldest daughter did not respond well to anything we put in place to steer her in the right... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mrs. S. M. Marr
Practical Parenting Advice
A good book. Gives advice on how to help your child develop through play. You can help them (and yourself) learn to deal healthily with the whole range of emotions your child... Read more
Published 15 months ago by LondonDove
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