Product Description

Learn how children are wired so you don't short circuit.

With 20+ years of experience as a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, and mother of 3 very special children, Dr. McGuire has a wealth of knowledge about the hows and whys of children. Learn how children are wired. Teach them skills they will find useful for a lifetime.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #138258 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Customer Reviews

Great resource
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (12/08)

Patricia McGuire, a single parent, mother of three, and a developmental pediatrician, has written an excellent resource for parents to help them learn to get to know their child(ren), their temperaments and how to develop skills that make parent and child living together easier.

Through essays and personal stories, the author gives everyday examples of when meltdowns come for both the child and parent. She gives good advice on how to handle various situations and advice on when to not get into a battle.

One of the most important sections of information, I thought, was very beneficial, was the section on learning your child's temperament. Temperament is the way your child handles the world around them. Some of these traits include approachability, adaptability, and intensity of reactions. By providing examples of her daughter Megan, these areas are easy to read and understand. Even being a Psychologist for over 25 years, I had not even thought of this area as one we need to know. I certainly changed my mind after reading this section. I still believe, as does the author, the best way to communicate with a child is to get down to their eye level, use a low and calm voice, say their name and keep the words simple.

The author also provides a good section on special needs children and the impact that labeling has on them. Many in the education world believe that children with learning disabilities are "just plain lazy." It is important that educators learn to teach children at a level and type that are comfortable to the children.

The last section of the book talks about modeling for our children and often we as parents say things like "because I'm the parent and I said so." Children often think we don't have the time to answer their questions of "why"- and we often believe we don't have to answer those questions. This often leads to a battle of wills- with no one winning.

I found "Never Assume" by Patricia McGuire to be very informative, set in a tone that was neither demeaning nor controlling. I can see the author's passion in working with children and trying to help parents become the best parents they can. It is such a simple thing- know your child.

A solid child psychology manual, highly recommended
First impressions are something so many make the error of going off of when evaluating others. "Never Assume: Getting to Know Children Before Labeling Them" is a book focusing on the demeanor of children and how to understand them. With educated writing from a behavior pediatrician, she discusses the temperament of children and how to deal with it to better understand the children for whatever one is trying to do. "Never Assume" is a solid child psychology manual, highly recommended.

Easy to understand, to the point and positive
Will have to buy another book because I gave mine away before I had really absorbed it. Visited an old friend recently who (as it turns out) has a daughter with diagnosis of a mental illness. My friend read 3/4 of the book the first night she had it and finds it helpful and relevant. My friend couldn't thank me enough for Dr McGuire's book. It is great that Dr. McGuire is empowering parents with the helpful knowledge in her book. Dr. McGuire is positive and encouraging to parents in a very touchy area of their lives--their children. Will probably buy a couple books with my next order. As a nurse I work for an agency that provides services to families with mentally ill children and/or children w/behavioral disorders. The book is a valuable resource for me. I highly recommend this book to health care professionals who work with children.