Thanks Mountain Goat, that sounds great, will look out for that one. Have you also read Detoxing Childhood? I found it a lot less depressing than the first book, and it actually gave me hope!!

I was a primary school teacher for 10 years (mainly teaching children between 4 and 7 years old), but I now work as a lecturer in the Education department of my local University, so I am training student teachers.

To be honest, most of the educational theory books are pretty dull (but I better not say that to my students!), and obviously far more related to school than home. The constructivist theory is very influential; it has been for many years, but also links very well to what we now know to be effective practice in provision for early years children. In a nutshell, it is about finding out and working from what children already know and can do, rather than focusing upon what they can't do. I will see if I can find any books about constructivism which relate more to home and parenting, rather than aimed at taechers.

Another book which was written around the same time as Magical Child, and focused on Piaget, is Children's Minds written by Margaret Donaldson - just in case you want 32 books on your 'to read' list!

Just out of interest, do either of you supscribe to Juno magazine? It's full of articles on a more natural approach to parenting and is a great read.  I've read toxic chilhood but not magiacal child, I may have a look at that one.

Donna

Ha ha, I'm not too sure about modern, it was written in 1977! LOL. I'd still recommend the book though. Is there a particular book you'd recommend that is in the same vein but more up to date? Or would that be the "toxic" books? And what is your job, if you don't mind me asking?!

I haven't finished reading yet, but I would imagine she would - because you are giving your child all that she needs developmentally, in terms of outdoors and play etc, yet she is still benefitting from the opportunities offered by the computer, but in very playful ways. The problem she would say is when children are almost 'raised' by technology, watching TV and using games machines and computers, by themselves. She doesn't say no TV or anything as strict as that, but suggests that parents limit it and watch with their child, engaging them in conversation about what they have watched.

The book you have recommended sounds interesting. Through my job, I cover a lot of educational theory with the students, including Piaget, and his work, whilst incredibly valuable and influential, is now seen as outdated, having been superceded by main other theorists; so it will be fascinating to read a modern take on his theories - thanks very much for that.

Ah, yes, I remember now!

That does sound interesting, and yes, very much my cup of tea. You might like a similar book, "Magical Child", by Joseph Chilton Pearce. I found it quite difficult to read in parts but he describes how children develop and what they need at each stage, connecting with mum first, then connecting with the earth/their world, and then later on learning how to manipulate the world. It's based on work done by the child psychologist Piaget.

Fascinating stuff! I'll have a look at the "toxic" books although I have to confess my list of books to read currently has around 30 books on it, it takes me about a month to read a single book these days.

Out of interest, does the author believe we can combine the "modern" world with old fasioned values? This is really my approach, for example we go out to the park or the woods in the mornings, and do a lot of "nature" and "play" things, and read lots of books, but my dd also plays (or works, as she tells me!) on the computer.

Hiya, we had a discussion about phonics, and when I commented that I was passionate about phonics, you said that you were passionate about all things to do with raising children. Which was why I thought you might like these books, particularly the second one! They are a really interesting read.

They are both about the fact that we live in a very modern world, and have access to 24 hour television, internet, convenience food etc, and that therefore children have access to all these things, and so their childhoods are very different to ours. But the point the author makes is that actually, developmentally, children nowadays need exactly what children needed 50 years ago. Toxic Childhood is quite heavy going and depressing, painting a very bleak picture of childhood for our children, whereas Detoxing Childhood outlines what we can do about it to make a difference for our children.

Just thought it might be your kind of thing; I am reading it at the moment, and thought of you for some reason!

Hope you and your lo are both well

Hi, no I haven't read either of those books - or even heard of them tbh! Are they about food additives? And why did you think of me?! LOL, I recognise your name but my memory is atrocious can't think where I've "bumped into" you before.....!

Hi Jungle Mama,

Just wondered if you have ever read Toxic Childhood or the follow up book Detoxing Childhood by Sue Palmer? I am currently reading Detoxing (the first one was too depressing!), and I thought you would possibly find it interesting.

Let me know if you want to know more about it.

Mummymonkey