Review of "Let Kids Be Kids"
By Mary MuscariUniversity of Scranton Press, 2006
Review by Christine Valarde on Sep 29th 2009
Let Kids Be Kids: Rescuing Childhood was written by pediatric nursing specialist Mary Muscari and has been marketed as a guide for parents to raise happy, well-adjusted children, who will then grow up to become happy, well-adjusted adults. Muscari argues in this book that childhood is an essential time for many vital and universal experiences that will shape the minds and bodies of all children into happy and productive members of society. In Let Kids Be Kids, Muscari identifies fourteen essential aspects of childhood that she claims are often ignored and even threatened by today?s society. These aspects must be introduced into a child?s life in order for him or her to grow into a happy, healthy adult. These aspects include Love and Attention, Health, Safety, Family, Uniqueness, Heroes, Citizenship, Spirituality, Creativity, Nature, Unstructured Play, Joyful Noise, and Youthful Innocence. The author explains why each of these aspects is important to a child?s development and future well-being, and offers examples of activities or discussions that parents can use to help promote each aspect in their child.
One of the messages of the book -- that children need time to play on their own or with their peers without structured or planned activities -- is a welcome call to remedy the current parental culture of pushing children into constant activities and lessons to encourage a child?s excellence and perceived success. Muscari argues that other social and individual enrichment needs are more important to a child?s development into a self-confident and fulfilled adult.
This book may be useful for some first-time parents looking for general ideas to encourage the development of emotional maturity in their child. Her suggestions for activities to help develop an aspect of a child?s character will be welcomed by parents, as they are specific and clear ideas of what they can do in their homes, in addition to the developmental and psychological theory.
However, experienced parents and child health care professionals will be frustrated by too-basic statements and suggestions that will not be relevant to most readers: for example, that HIV and AIDS affects the health of a child is not a revelation, nor is a child?s need to have good adult role models. Muscari sometimes gives obvious advice, which may be helpful to those who have never spent time around children, but is dull and superfluous to those who have. In addition, most readers will be put off by the long bullet-pointed lists in which Muscari uses -- frequently -- to offer ideas and arguments. These lists are perhaps meant to be succinct, but readers will feel as if they are looking at a grocery shopping list instead of a well-thought out argument.
© 2009 Christine Valarde
Christine Valarde has a Master's Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University, and now works as a freelance journalist.
Resources
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Articles
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Development During Early Childhood, Toddler, and Preschool Stages
- Introduction- Development During Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Average Growth
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Gross and Fine Motor Development
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Introduction
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Symbolic Function
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Intuitive Thought
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Information Processing
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Language Development
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Emotional Expressiveness and Understanding
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Reflective Empathy
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Aggression
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Identity and Self-Esteem
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Social Connections
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Social Connections Continued
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Conclusion
- Early Childhood Moral Development
- Early Childhood Moral Development Continued
- Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality
- Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality Continued
- Early Childhood Conclusion
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Parenting Your Todder, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Introduction to Parenting Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Early Childhood Feeding and Nutrition
- Early Childhood Food and Nutrition Continued
- Early Childhood Food and Nutrition Conclusion
- Early Childhood Sleep
- Early Childhood Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Hygiene
- Early Childhood Hygiene Continued
- Early Childhood Exercise
- Early Childhood Love and Nurturing
- Early Childhood: It's Important to Encourage Reading
- Early Childhood Medical Care
- Early Childhood Mental Health Care
- Early Childhood Safety
- Coping with Transitions in Early Childhood: Getting a New Sibling or Remaining an Only Child
- Coping with Transition: in Early Childhood: Going to Daycare
- Coping with Transition: Starting Preschool or Kindergarten and Final Conclusions
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Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Introduction
- The Right Time to Start Toilet Training: Children's Readiness
- The Right Time to Start Toilet Training: Family Readiness and Red Flags
- Pre-Toilet Training in Early Childhood
- Preparing the Space for Toilet Training in Early Childhood
- Toilet Training-Friendly Clothing
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods Continued
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods Conclusion
- How to Deal with Toilet Training Challenges: Travel
- How to Deal with Toilet Training Challenges: Constipation and Fear of Flushing
- Bedwetting, Encopresis and Enuresis, and Conclusions
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Disciplining Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Disciplining Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction
- Parents as Disciplinarians in Early Childhood
- Preventing Early Childhood Misbehavior Before it Happens
- The Use of Choice in Early Childhood
- A Step-by-Step Guide for How to Discipline Children in Early Childhood
- Natural and Logical Consequences in Early Childhood
- Combining Choice and Consequences in Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Time Outs
- Spanking in Early Childhood
- Coordinating to Provide Continuity of Early Childhood Discipline Across Caregivers
- Lying in Early Childhood
- Supportive Communication in Early Childhood and Discipline Conclusion
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Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction
- Creating Nurturing Space in Early Childhood
- Physical Nurturing: Gross Motor Activities in Early Childhood
- Physical Nurturing: Fine Motor Activities in Early Childhood
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood Continued
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood Conclusion
- Social Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Emotional Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Cultural and Spiritual Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Nurturing at Home and Outside the Home and Nurturing Conclusions
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Child and Adolescent Development Theories
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Infants: Parenting and Child Development
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Development During Early Childhood, Toddler, and Preschool Stages
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Questions and Answers
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Book & Media Reviews
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Links
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Videos
- ADHD in Preschoolers: What to Look For and How to Help
- Button Batteries Sending Kids to the ER
- The Breakdown on Bedwetting
- Holiday Travel - Child Safety Away from Home
- Stuttering- A Window of Opportunity
- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 18: The School Years: Psychosocial Development
- Nightmare vs. Night Terror
- Safe Seats for Baby
- 3 Tips on Swim Safety
- Big Kids Need a Boost
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- All in On Water Safety
- Diaper Rash Dos & Don’ts
- Your Active Preschooler: Could it be ADHD?
- Sunscreen Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
- Pack Car Seat for Summer Travel
- How do I get my child to eat new foods?
- Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood
- 6 tips to help your children control their emotions
- Recognizing challenging behaviors in young children: Could it be ADHD?
- Classroom Managment Supports for ADHD Behaviors in Preschool Settings
- Household Poisonings and Childhood Dangers
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