Ballantine Books</br></br>Product Description</br></br><br>Have you ever stepped back to watch what really goes on when your children play? As psychologist Lawrence J. Cohen points out?? play is children??s way of exploring the world?? communicating deep feelings?? getting close to those they care about?? working through stressful situations?? and simply blowing off steam. That??s why ??playful parenting?? is so important and so successful in building strong?? close bonds between parents and children. Through play we join our kids in <i>their</i> world?and help them to<br><br>? Express and understand complex emotions<br>? Break through shyness?? anger?? and fear<br>? Empower themselves and respect diversity<br>? Play their way through sibling rivalry <br>? Cooperate without power struggles<br><br>From eliciting a giggle during baby??s first game of peekaboo to cracking jokes with a teenager while hanging out at the mall?? <i>Playful Parenting </i>is a complete guide to using play to raise confident children. Written with love and humor?? brimming with good advice and revealing "rounded in the latest research?? this book<i> </i>will make you laugh even as it makes you wise in the ways of being an effective?? enthusiastic parent.</br></br>Amazon.com Review</br></br>Tag?? you're it! In <i>Playful Parenting</i>?? Lawrence Cohen demonstrates that parents need to lighten up and spend a few hours giggling with their kids. Play is inherently educational for children?? he claims?? and parents can learn plenty by examining the games kids play--from peekaboo to practical jokes. <p>  Cohen is quick to point out that no matter what your child's temperament?? she has a playful side. In its most basic form?? play is a way to communicate. The author examines?? with plenty of hilarious personal anecdotes?? the details of play at every age and across genders. From his daughter and a new male friend discussing how "ear weapons are and how "gross" a love song is?? to a younger child  zooming full-speed around a park at a birthday party?? we're shown the exuberant truth behind playing: not only is it just plain fun?? it can spark a variety of important sensations. One short section discusses the common p