The Secret Language of Children: How to Understand What Your Kids Are Really Saying - Softcover

Dr. Lawrence E. Shapiro has a Ph.D. in School and Child Psychology, and is an internationally recognized child psychologist and parenting expert. He has written more than two dozen books, including How to Raise a Child with a High EQ. He has created more than 75 therapeutic games, which are used by tens of thousands of mental health professionals around the world.

Child psychologist Shapiro (How to Raise a Child with a High EQ), believes that when it comes to communicating with children, words are only part of the answer. Gestures, eye contact, posture, voice tone, inflection and other nonverbal cues make a significant contribution to how effectively messages are expressed and received. Beginning in infancy parents can recognize not only such "macro" signs as facial expression and posture, but also "micro" signs such as the color of a baby's skin when she cries or the way she clenches her fists. Shapiro explores the intuitive, emotional connection between parent and infant and then devotes consecutive chapters to emotions toddlers and older children express through play, stories, dreams and art, offering parents ways to be more expressive with their children, as well as techniques to help children articulate their feelings. Shapiro provides a wealth of unique yet practical exercises, such as "The Family Museum" in which a child draws a room in a museum showing three things that are important in his family (thus revealing his perception of family values), or "The Ignoring Game," designed to help kids ignore teasing. Unfortunately, such obvious advice as "try and locate the cause of the pain" when a baby is crying may cause veteran parents to lose patience, but rookies may appreciate the author's step-by-step approach to a baby's needs. Shapiro includes a comprehensive appendix of fun, innovative activities and communication techniques parents can use at home.
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