Reclaiming Childhood

Book excerpt: "A thoughtful and valuable resource for parents and teachers looking for alternative approaches to education." —Booklist As our children are pushed harder than ever to perform so that they will one day "make the grade" in the adult world, parents are beginning to question the wisdom of scheduling childhood's basic pleasures. In Reclaiming Childhood, William Crain argues that rather than trying to control a young child, the best a parent can offer is "a patient and unobtrusive presence that gives the child the security and the freedom to explore the world on her own." He examines how children find their way to natural development through experiences with nature, art, and language, and makes a strong case for child-centered education—a movement that may be under fire, but that is very much alive.