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Rest, Play, Grow

Making Sense of Preschoolers (or anyone who acts like one)

Parents and caregivers struggle with these little ones, who are known for their extreme behaviour, from tantrums, resistance, and aggression to separation anxiety, bedtime protests, and not listening. The key to understanding youngsters lies in realizing that their challenging behaviour is not personal, nor is it a disorder or deficit.

Based on science and the relational developmental approach of renowned psychologist and bestselling author Gordon Neufeld, Rest, Play, Grow reveals how adults have a critical role to play in creating the conditions for young children to flourish. This is the story of how young children develop, from their intense need for attachment and the vital importance of play to discipline that preserves growth. Engagingly written, with compassion for its subjects and rich with stories from them and their parents, Rest, Play, Grow will forever change the way you think of the preschoolers in your life.

Based on the work of one of the world’s foremost child development experts, Rest, Play, Grow offers a road map to making sense of young children, and is what every toddler, preschooler, and kindergartener wished we understood about them.

Baffling and beloved, with the capacity to go from joy to frustration in seconds, young children are some of the most misunderstood people on the planet.

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REST, PLAY, GROW HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO 14 LANGUAGES

Download book club questions and study guide

French

Spanish

Italian

Russian

German

Ukranian

Estonian

Mandarin

Danish

Korean

Dutch

Polish

Turkish

Slovenian

"Basing her work in attachment theory and the groundbreaking work of Dr. Gordon Neufeld, Deborah MacNamara has written an essential primer on how to be a parent by making sense of the inner world of children. This book is developmental science translated into practical love".

Gabor Maté, MD, author of The Myth of Normal

"A must read for every parent of a pre-schooler or younger. Dr. MacNamara clearly shows the developmental stages of preschoolers so that parents gain a better understanding of the emotional state of the child. It is with this understanding that parenting the preschooler becomes easier. Read this and you will truly be 'your kid's best bet'". 

Kristy Pillinger
editor-in-chief, nurture parenting magazine

 "This book is a tribute to not only Deborah's giftedness, but also to her absolute driving conviction that the insights regarding relationship and development must get out to those responsible for raising our youngsters... Deborah is wonderfully positioned to tell you this story, taking you from theory to practice. You could not be in better hands."

Dr. Gordon Neufeld
PHD, FOUNDER OF THE NEUFELD INSTITUTE

Best selling author, Dr. Deborah MacNamara, shares developmental science, personal stories and experiences to make sense of kids for parents, professionals, and educators.

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OTHER TITLES BY DR. MACNAMARA

Nourished

The Sorry Plane

Received Gold in the Nautilus Parenting category and Gold in the Evergreen Health & Wellness category from the Living Now Awards.

Children's book, 3 languages

Nourishedthe sorry plane

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