Book Review: Your Child's Health: The Parents' One-Stop Reference Guide to: Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Pr

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Child Development. Child Development is the increase of abilities and skills related to a child's physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth as a child progresses in life. Scott Wardell is the Official Guide to Child Development. Your Child's Health: The Parents' One-Stop Reference Guide to: Symptoms, Emergencies, Common Illnesses, Behavior Problems, and Healthy Development, by Barton D. Schmitt, is a valuable resource for people interested in Child Development and it is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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Emergencies: nn --when to call your child's physician immediately nn -what to do in case of burns, bites, stings, poisoning, choking, and injuries nn Common Illnesses: nn -when it's safe to treat your child at home nn -step-by-step instructions on dealing with fever, infections, allergies, rashes, earaches, croup and other common ailments nn Behavior Problems: nn -proven strategies for colic, sleep disturbances, toilet training problems, thumbsucking, and the video game craze nn -no-nonsense discipline techniques for biting, temper tantrums, sibling fighting, and school refusal nn Health Promotion: From Birth Through Adolescence: nn -essential advice on newborn baby care, nutrition, cholesterol testing, immunizations, and sex education nn-ways of preventing spoiled children, picky eaters, overeating, tooth decay, accidents, and homework problems

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This is the third edition of a standard child care encyclopedia that debuted in 1987. Schmitt (medical director, After-Hours Call Ctr., Sleep Disorders Clinic, Enuresis-Encopresis Clinic) discusses everything from supplies required for a new baby to adolescent rebellion, but the book's greatest value is as a guide to coping with illness or injury. Schmitt succinctly describes symptoms and provides clear directions for first aid as well as advice on such topics as when to call 911, when to go to the Emergency Room, and when to call the doctor immediately. Though for some topics he recommends titles for further reading, one wishes he did so more often (particularly when opinions vary, as with toilet training and discipline), but this is a minor quibble. Bottom Line Every parent will want to own this book. But every public library will want a copy as well for prospective parents to browse, as there's a lot of information here-300 major topics covered-at a very reasonable cost. Highly recommended.-Susan B. Hagloch, Tuscarawas Cty. P.L., New Philadelphia, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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Barton D. Schmitt, MD, FAAP, is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, and Director of the Sleep Disorder Clinic and Encopresis-Enuresis clinic at The Children's Hospital of Denver. He has written more than one-hundred articles for fellow pediatricians, as well as the book Pediatric Telephone Protocols and the computer software program The Pediatric Advisor, used by over four-hundred-and-fifty hospitals nationwide. nn Dr. Schmitt has received numerous awards for his work, including the American Academy of Pediatrics Education Award in 2004. He and his wife spend as much time as possible with their children and 6 grandchildren.