“While bouncers, walkers, carriers, electronic toys, and “educational” videos are intended to make parents’ lives easier and children smarter, according to a new book published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents should consider reducing their baby’s time spent with gadgets and bond the old fashioned way by going back to basics.
Leading pediatric occupational therapist and child development specialist Anne Zachry, PhD, OTR/L is the author of Retro Baby: Cut Back on All the Gear and Boost Your Baby’s Development With More Than 100 Time-Tested Activities, a new book intended to help parents and caregivers understand the importance of one-on-one play with children during the early stages of life. With over 20 years experience, Zachry understands that each family and baby have different needs and in her book, she offers many flexible strategies and suggestions for playtime that provide lots of opportunities to spend valuable time with baby.
Incorporating the latest recommendations from the AAP with extensive research by Zachry and other experts in her field, Retro Baby covers how an infant’s brain, body, motor and sensory skills develop, explain the negative impacts of overusing certain baby gear, and provide specific instructions for play positions and activities that are appropriate for each developmental stage, giving parents both a starting point and guidelines to help them properly invest in their child’s development and future.
Packed with more than 100 wonderful activities based on modern day research, Retro Baby is a comprehensive guide that will help parents and caregivers:
- Learn how crucial connections are formed between a child’s brain and muscles during the first year of life.
- Discover how the over use of some products can hinder infant exploration.
- Observe how good old-fashioned play affects your baby’s development in a positive way.
- Try a variety of ideas that enhance baby’s ability to learn.
- See how to make traditional, handmade toys using common household items.
Retro Baby also includes chapters on keeping your sleeping baby safe, practicing tummy time and preventing positional skull deformities.
“I’ve discovered that many parents do not understand of the dangers of extended equipment use and overexposure to technology,” said Zachry. She adds, “All of the information in ‘Retro Baby’ will help parents play a role in building a solid foundation for their child’s future skills in school and in life. When you use this authoritative up-to-date source, you’ll be faithfully supporting- but not rushing- your baby’s mastery of developmental milestones.”
Our Thoughts
As the mother of 3 small children who has literally been bombarded with product after product geared towards babies for the past 5 years it was nice to see something written that encourages us to go back to simpler times. You know before the invention of the smartphone or even the internet. I’m especially glad it was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which have never steered me in the wrong direction. I interact with hundreds of new moms each week & I’ve found that new mother’s are especially susceptible to any type of marketing that claims it’s the “best for baby”. I know a lot of moms feel anxiety when it comes to their first child & how quickly they’re learning. We all sort of have the innate need to give our children the best of everything, but the fact remains that to help our children grow & learn we don’t necessarily have to have the latest and greatest gadget.
After years of diving headfirst into these products what I’ve found personally is that you don’t really need a lot in the first 2 years of life at all actually. Companies love to bank on the fact that this is all new to us & make us question our own abilities & our babies needs. Fact is,simple guided play, with just a few objects here and there can be enough. That’s why I just love this book. You’ll find over 100 activities, tips (and even homemade toy suggestions) for building a solid sensory motor foundation throughout various stages of your child’s development. There’s even info on which baby gear you should avoid & how often you should use others, as well as tips for practicing tummy time, something that’s always a popular question on the First-Time-Mommy Facebook page. You’ll find lots of valuable information for the first-time-mom, but it’s also a book that can be enjoyed by a seasoned mother as well. I’d definitely add this one to your reading list.
Where to Purchase
Retro Baby is currently available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, as well as other bookstores nationwide at the SRP of $16.95
About the Author
Anne H. Zachry, PhD, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist and child development specialist with more than 20 years experience. Her research on this subject has been published in national peer-reviewed journals and her profession’s trade magazines as well as a number of parenting magazines. She cites and extensively supports AAP policy and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and has lectured at the University of Memphis and is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health and Science Center. Her blog, “Pediatric Occupational Therapy Tips: (www.drzachryspedsottips.blogspot.com) averages 30,000 hits monthly.
Disclosure: This book review made possible through the Role Mommy writers network. All opinions are my own.
