Look Inward

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 23, 22 October 1936, Page 6

Look Inward

Parents can Answer Child Problems by Seeing Themselves.

‘•Parents’ Questions,” by staff members of the Child Study Association of America (London: Victor Gollancz Ltd.). TTNDER its somewhat ponderous title. “Parents’ Questions” conceals a mass of interesting information about child psychology that will be useful to parents not only in America ' but all over the world. Its great virtue is that it tackles the problem not i’,. from the juvenile but from the adult angle, which is far more understandable to most people. It stresses correction of self side by side with correction of the child. If parents could only put into practice one-quarter of the excellent advice science gives them, the next generation would be the happiest race in history, w. But, unfortunately, it is often diflieult to know when and how to apply in specific instances the broad principles of modern child psychology. “Parents’ Questions” is the logically planned type of book that will help to bridge that difficulty. It has been compiled by seven members of the Child Study Association of America, but its authors, as the preface points out, are N: in reality the many thousands of parents who have brought their questions '’■ to the association during the half-cen-tury of Its existence. The detailed answers to the most frequently recurring of their problems are grouped under ten headings, such as Habit and Habit Training, the Child’s Emotions, Sex in Childhood, School as Home, Parents as People. Explanatory introductions give general discussion on each section, which question and answer and case history amplify and elucidate. The book speaks authoritatively, but it brings child psychology to your own back door, as it were. It is written .simply without being, as many books of its kind are, childish in style. No on e can read it without interest and advantage, but of course it can be studied <most profitably by parents whose children, normal or so-called problematical, are in any stage of growth between birth and adolescence. The most valuable contribution of the book to the literature of child psychology is its approach through the - parents. The question, “Should a six-year-old have help in dressing?” may come simply of an objective desire to be informed about the development of habits. But the expert has learnt to listen for overtones of meaning, reflecting parents’ own difficulties. The real question may he. "Is he going to be as maddeningly slow as his father?” It is too much to hope that “Parents’ Questions” will benefit a large public, readable and frank as it is. Nevertheless, if it teaches only a few married people to examine themselves first before they try to correct the behaviour of their children, it will have done much for child psychology. Every father and mother who wishes to understand their children and earn their confidence and affection cannot afford to refuse this help. A copy of the book would be a valuable addition to any home reference shelf. --O.M.A.