Many parents feel they must wait until their child is mobile or able to speak before any real relationship can begin. We know for example that the foetus is prepared for the extra-uterine environment form the beginning of the 3rd trimester. Parents need the opportunity to be aware that their baby is yearning for their love, attention and interest. The first developmental task for the infant for example, is not holding their head up, sitting or crawling but the development of a relationship.
The aim of this book is to highlight in a very accessible way the newborn infant’s innate capacities for social interaction. The infant’s communications may be subtle at first but with a little patience and a parental willingness to observe and think about their baby, these quickly become apparent. Science and psychology has demonstrated that the infant has remarkable capacities for perceiving and responding to the emotions and actions of others and that these early experiences literally structure the development of the brain.
The book introduces some of amazing capacities that the infant has for social and emotional relationships as well as the signs an infant might give of their physical and emotional states and needs i.e. when they are tired, hungry and when they are wanting and available for interactions. It counters the age-old myth that parents must not respond to their child too soon or they will “spoil” their new baby. The book acknowledges that parenting a new infant is a challenging task also encourages parents to find supports of their own when they need to
This story is about inclusion, that maybe difference is not deficit but simply provides a wealth of strengths and capacities that can be shared for the good of us all. This insightful take on difference is expressed by young author Lachie Hume who at 12 years old wrote this story for a school project which was eventually published. Winner of two national awards this story Clancy the Courageous Cow is a fun story about being different and about getting along. More info
Olga the Brolga was in a terrible mood. She was whiny and pushy and downright rude. No one will do what Olga wants she wants them to dance with her and have fun. The more she pushes, the more they refuse. How do we get what we want from other people? Some tactics - like nagging and demanding - just don't seem to work. But the endearingly gawky Olga only wants to dance, and she's smart. She learns something important about self-reliance and the value of her own... More info
This beautifully presented and compassionate collection of short stories by Jennifer Lehmann (lecturer in Social Work, La Trobe University, Bendigo) is guaranteed to prompt lively discussion about our values and the identities we choose for ourselves. The stories celebrate diversity and awaken curiosity about human behaviour and motivation. Drawn from years of experience in social work, these insightful short stories explore the full human muddle. The eight stories provide a window into the lives of diverse Australians as they approach the sometimes heart-rending challenges of living and relating. Social justice... More info
