TEACHER AND CHILD: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 15, 1972

Another reasonable, chatty examination of the teacher-child relationship from the author of the best-selling Between Parent and Child (1965) and Between Parent and Teenager (1969). Ginott focuses on persistent areas of conflict and as in the earlier books, the vignette is used to illustrate the main points and convey nuances of technique. The keys for the teacher are sympathy, flexibility, sensitivity, a willingness to recognize feelings and judge the situation. It is the style of communication that demonstrates concern -- praising accomplishment rather than character, giving expectations rather than orders. Much of this may seem facile at first, an inadequate approach to discontent in the schools, but Dr. Ginott is aware of the daily paradoxes; shouting to end noise, using force to end fighting, being rude to one who is impolite. Moreover he realizes that love is not nearly enough, that rapport and hot-shot lessons have limitations, that overinvolvement can be dangerous. What he encourages is ""congruent communication,"" fitting the response to the situation. He demonstrates in numerous examples alternate ways of dealing with common difficulties, favoring a language of acceptance over one of rejection. The feelings of the teacher are not overlooked but there is a distinction between spontaneity and impulse. Parents turn up primarily as sounding boards, ready to offer understanding but rarely taking a stand, intervening only in obvious cases of disagreement or abuse. Throughout there is the implication that a sensitive, alert teacher, making appropriate comments, may change behavior; unfortunately the behavior described here is sometimes oversimplified, and there is limited attention to dealing with more serious personality disorders. However, the guidelines are generally useful, the vignettes instructive, and the vocabulary, as in the other books, accessible.

Pub Date: Feb. 15, 1972

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1972

Categories: NONFICTION