Book Review
Caring for the Under - 88
Jennie Lindon, Lance Lindon and Leandra Negril1i
ISBN: 0 732928664; 1995; 178 pages; Macmillan Melbourne;
Alison Copley
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, SA
The book is presented as a study guide or workbook for basic or certificate level childcare courses. The content is pitched at an introductory level and is particularly relevant for childcare workers. 'Case studies', 'Activities' and 'Things to think about' are practical strategies to assist the reader to synthesise the theory, to stimulate discussion, assist reflection on practice and to generally observe children's behaviours.
These strategies set out successfully to challenge the readers' assumptions about children and to foster a broad view of children's development. The reader friendly writing style is an effective strategy to engage the reader. Some chapters require further editing as the sentences are inclined to ramble, tautology is used and the intent of sentences is not always clear, for example, chapters 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.7, 5.1, 5.3. Some chapters have typing errors and colons are used inappropriately and excessively. Content is most practical and holistic. Social, physical and emotional development are covered as are communicating with children and their families. Reinforced throughout is that children must be viewed as individuals within a cultural context, their behaviour must be considered from a child's viewpoint and the importance of nurturing a child's self-esteem.
The text is a comprehensive outline of the basic information required to work in childcare. Some chapters have better content than others, although an introductory chapter on the purpose of chapter 1.1 is vague. In chapter 2.5 'Organising the child's environment', safety hazards are not clearly identified nor are ways to prevent accidents.
Tables could be utilised further to offer concise yet practical information on safety and other topics. Additional references are included for each topic and these allow the reader to access more detailed theory. The extensive list of children's services and contact numbers is most valuable. Most, but not all services have contact addresses and telephone numbers for each Australian state. She and he is used randomly in an attempt to be nonsexist, however such language is no longer politically correct.
The child, they, them, or their should be used. The text is well spaced and uncluttered. Cartoons are effectively used to reinforce theoretical points. The index is useful, however a few inaccuracies were noted, for example, 'hayfever' was found on page 82, not 72. Being Australian is a bonus as few texts offer such a comprehensive list of relevant children's services in each Australian state. The content lacks sufficient depth for the book to be considered as a childcare text for nursing courses. The book has much merit as an introductory text for short or basic childcare courses.
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