Integrating the ideas of Montessori, Satir, and Adler, this parenting manual covers theory and practice, childhood development, and parent-child communication, helping parents to meet the challenges of raising their pre-school through elementary school aged children.

Are you still confused despite having read dozens of parenting books? Have you studied all the childrearing theories, but still aren’t sure what to do in practice? By integrating Montessori education with the work of Adler and Satir, this easy-to-understand handbook provides more than just a solid theoretical foundation – it provides practical methods and guidance to help readers resolve parenting challenges.

Starting with some theory from Montessori, the inner developmental needs of children are explained, helping parents to look beyond the surface of their child’s behavior, and develop more effective responses. Next, the author explores Adler’s concept of positive parenting, providing concrete methods to facilitate the growth of the child’s personality while carefully avoiding developmental pitfalls. The final section of the book uses Satir’s “iceberg theory” to teach parents the skills needed to accurately observe the interior lives of their children, and themselves. Emotional soothing, methods of emotional release, and the influence of the “inner child” are discussed, giving parents tools to heal their own childhood trauma.

Author Henry Lo applies his many years of experience as an early childhood educator to the problems of childrearing, clarifying the common misunderstandings rarely addressed in other parenting books. Through numerous case studies he bridges the gap between complex theory and practical solutions. More than just a primer on childhood development, this is a guidebook to healthy parenting, helping parents interact with their children with renewed confidence and inner calm.