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

Berman (aka Dr. Jenn), a Los Angeles psychotherapist and author (The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids), focuses on development in the first three years of life. The mother of toddler twin girls, Berman quickly points out that her purpose is not to create an "uberbaby." In fact, the author flatly rejects such approaches as Baby Einstein, flash cards, and "infantainment." Instead, she guides parents though 12 crucial steps that help children grow intellectually and emotionally, devoting well-researched chapters to communication, responding to cues, creating predictability, the importance of touch, language development, sign language, foreign language, reading, play, the hazards of screen time, living green, and food and nutrition. Berman threads the work of respected parenting experts and scientific evidence throughout her text, shoring up her message that the first three years are vital for forming attachments, developing a sense of self, and learning to trust. In each chapter, she explains both why and how; for instance, play helps kids problem solve, and, among other benefits, aids in social development and impulse control; she follows up with creative toy and play ideas. The author doesn’t just talk the talk; in her chapter on language, she notes that her own toddlers have learned Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Berman’s absorbing new book will help parents give their youngsters a nurturing head start and a firm foundation for growth and learning. (Sept.)