What Babies Say Before They Can Talk: The Nine Signals Infants Use to Express Their Feelings Paperback – August 4, 2003

I accidentally stumbled upon this book on Amazon and thought I would check it out. It was so much more than the title. It was much more involved into child/parent behavior and psychology and how to basically not screw up your child. As a first time Mom I will keep it and use it as a reference guide for the first 5+ years! I found it that amazing! I believe it's on a higher level than most of these over-simplified parenting books that are filled with the obvious. It's for the brighter reader, therefore far more interesting. The book is also based on actual scientific research, unlike some of the parenting books I have read by self-proclaimed experts which include some questionable advice. I am recommending it to all my friends who are parents, but they can't have MY copy!

All new parents should have a copy of this book. It explains so much about the emotional capabilities and reactions of infants, and it allows parents to get to know their children from an early age. All parents have the task of helping their children learn to manage feelings, and this is a wonderful beginning.I already had a copy of this book, but I bought a new one to give a friend. No matter what age your child is now, you can benefit from what this book tells you about the nine signals infants use to express their feelings.

First of all, I purchased this book with specific questions in mind. I wanted to know why my two month old was arching her back, or shaking her head during feeding. This book is not set up to answer those kinds of questions. It's more of a philosophical discussion of how babies' emotions work and develope. It is definitely not the type of book you can pick up and skip to a page to find answers, which is what most people with infants probably have in mind since reading time can be limited.Not a bad book overall, but definitely not what I, and probably many others like me, are looking for in a book with this title.

This is a good book, offering many insights in children feelings and emotions, which are their primary way of communicating. It also provides information on how to comprehend them. Children psychology is one of the most crucial factor in raising children, so understanding their feelings and correctly deal with them will give parents some basic information on how to meet their children needs, as well as an easier every-day life. I would recommend this book as an introductory guide to parenting, but not as an only option (there is not one book for everything). Do read it, but do read other books as well to cover more areas (effective communication, child psychology, mind growth, etc.), which you will soon need as your child grows. Quite useful for first time reading and new parents...

This is an outstanding helpful book for understanding ourselves and our children. It was well written and evocative, speaking directly and clearly to the reader. The idea of using the nine signals as a means of organizing and processing experience in conjunction with identifying and naming emotions is key. I believe this would be a great book to add to any psychology course but specially for those doing infant observation, it is a must read. My only criticism which is a tiny one is that I wished Dr. Holinger had elaborated more on the difference between fear and terror, especially relevant for our age.

I'm a few chapters in and it seems this book is for never sternly disciplining your child. Basically argues that if your child is ever misbehaving it is your responsibility to correct him in the most pleasant and enjoyable way for him possible.

I am not the most perceptive person when it comes to understanding my baby's emotions, so this book was very helpful to me. I often mistook fear for surprise, or didn't always notice disgust or shame, etc. This book describes the actual physical facial characteristics so that I can easily understand which emotion he is displaying. It also has great information on relating to your baby in general.By the way, not only is this book highly esteemed by professionals in the field and backed by the latest research, but it was a great early childhood education in a quick and easy-to-read format. I would recommend this book to every parent.

Why does it not occur to us that babies have credible expressions? Are we so ready to do battle with anyone else that we ignore what even our own children may have to say? The old phrase- "it is when we take the time to look, that the wondrous becomes commonplace and the commonplace becomes wondrous" was never more fitting than in considering children's expressions and the effects of ours upon them. This book will make a better parent and friend with your own children and others' as well.