|
ABOUT
book
reviews
“Pretend… that we're really gonna be late and you're really
mad," Emma, daughter of psychologist and play therapist Cohen,
whispered one morning, cleverly transforming their morning
ritual--his grumpy attempt to get her off to preschool--into a
fun game. According to Cohen, children of all ages have an
ongoing need for connectedness, security and attachment; playful
interaction with parents is an important way to develop such
bonds. Through play, parents can help their kids develop greater
confidence, express bottled up or difficult feelings, recover
from daily emotional unheavals, negotiate agreements, express
love and--not least--have fun. In his therapy practice, Cohen
has used play to help both severely troubled and securely
attached kids negotiate the daily travails of life; he
demonstrates how to prevent and address serious problems with
silliness and laughter. Cohen acknowledges that it is sometimes
difficult for busy and harried parents to relearn play, and that
playtime is both physically challenging and tiring. However,
using examples from his practice, research and personal
experience, he intelligently guides parents through the
possibilities awaiting them if they are willing and able to
loosen up. The book explores play with compassion, but is often
so funny that parents will find themselves chortling out loud
with recognition and anticipation. Publisher's Weekly,
May 7, 2001
(starred review)
"The book is
rich with ideas for using creativity to be a first-rate playmate
and a first-rate parent too." Rebecca Banks Zakin, Family
Life Magazine
"Psychologist Lawrence
Cohen wishes he had a nickel for every time he's been called a
poopyhead. He's a playful guy, so when little kids test their
power by calling him a bathroom name, he says, "Shhh, don't tell
anyone my secret name." Of course, the kids all laugh and shout,
"Larry's secret name is Poopyhead." Then he says, "Ha-ha, I was
just kidding. My real secret name is Rice Crispies Cake." The
silliness breaks the tension over name-calling, the kids giggle
and a bond is formed. Now, isn't that better than getting angry?
Cohen, a Boston psychologist who specializes in children's play,
lets civilians in on some trade secrets in his new book,
Playful Parenting. It includes tips for connecting with
kids, defusing power struggles, and using playfulness as an
approach to discipline."
Read More Cecelia Goodnow, Seattle
Post-Intelligencer
"Reading this book, you'll discover that you can be closer to
your children and can enjoy them more. You'll learn what a
difference play can make in your relationships and the kind of
people your children will become. And most importantly, you'll
have fun." Donna Rafanello, Chicago Parent
"According to leading play therapist Lawrence Cohen, all
children regardless of age have an ongoing need to feel
connected, secure and attached to their parents. Boston-based
Cohen -- whose book, Playful Parenting: A Bold New Way to
Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior Problems, and
Encourage Children's Confidence (Ballantine, $23.95, 320
pages), has received rave reviews from educators, pediatricians
and parents alike -- thinks the answer is almost always play.
'Play is where children show us the inner feelings and
experiences that they can't or won't talk about,' Cohen says.
'We need to hear what they have to say, and they need to share
it. That's why we have to join children where they live, on
their terms. Children don't say, 'I had a hard day at school
today; can I talk to you about it?' They say, 'Will you play
with me?' If we say yes, they play out what happened in the best
way they know how.' " Sarah Allen,
Portland Oregonian
|