SuperBaby: 12 Ways to Give Your Child a Head Start in the First 3 Years »

The first three years of life are the most important for nurturing a child's full potential: that's when they start forming attachments, developing a sense of self, and learning to trust. During this time, there are critical windows of opportunity that parents can take advantage of-if they know how. In a dozen succinct yet information-packed chapters, award-winning columnist and professional therapist Dr. Jenn Berman gives parents the knowledge they need. Her enlightening sidebars, bulleted lists, and concrete, easy-to-use strategies will help parents raise happy, healthy babies…who grow to be flourishing toddlers and successful adults.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review.

The popular author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids focuses now on the first critical years in a baby's life. Berman's direct and caring approach includes advice from parenting experts and insights gained from her own experience as a therapist and mother. Twelve key areas are covered, ranging from The Importance of Play to Creating Security and Predictability, and well-organized chapters are laid out with easy-reference suggestions, tips, guides, and breakout boxes where experts weigh in on topics: Too Many Screens in the Lives of Too Many Children, for instance, features a real-life examination of the methods two sets of parents use to cope with their toddlers at a restaurant, and the ramifications. Berman doesn't shy away from hot-button issues like exposure to TV and spanking, the latter allowing her to share 10 reasons why you shouldn't, including "Experiencing pain does not teach children to develop a conscience." It's not about raising an "überbaby," Berman notes, but about aspiring to be a super parent who raises an empathetic, resilient, and emotionally intelligent child. Her comprehensive, accessible book will arm parents with a valuable tool that will help them do just that.
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Foreword Dr. Alan Greene xi

Introduction xiii

A Note to the Reader xvi

1 Talk the Talk: Respectful Communication 1

2 You Got Me! Responding to Cues 29

3 Tick-Tock: Creating Security and Predictability 49

4 Let Your Fingers Do the Walking: The Importance of Touch 71

5 More Than Chitchat: Promoting Language Development 91

6 Talk to the Hand: Sign Language 117

7 Babies without Borders: Foreign Language 141

8 Baby Got Book: Reading 175

9 A Different Kind of Toy Story: The Importance of Play 209

10 Thinking Outside the Box: Screen Time 239

11 It's Easy Being Green: Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals 271

12 Food for Thought: Eating and Nutrition 305

Appendix A Child Care 345

Appendix B Preschool 358

Appendix C Sample Baby Schedules 369

Appendix D Reducing the Risk of SIDS 375

References 379

Resources 404

Acknowledgments 408

Index 410