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The Steps: 12 Secrets To Raising Happy and Successful Kids
As parents, we are always searching for ways to raise our children smarter, better and happier. In The Steps: 12 Secrets to Raising Happy and Successful Kids, authors and child development experts Andrew Watson, MD and Charles Watson, MD, Ph.D draw on decades of experience helping countless of struggling new parents to write an engaging translation of the best research in the field of positive parenting and child development. Whether you are an expecting mother, new Mom or new Dad, or you are the experienced parent of a difficult teenager, you will find comfort and encouragement in this enlightening anecdote.
While investigating the education system for an article, a journalist named Estela discovers The Steps, Dr. Michael Jansen’s innovative parenting protocol based on the recent advances of neuroscience and child psychology. The Steps targets the development of communication and language of the child, early reading, creativity, self-control, positive discipline, grit, and values, among other things, to give the right tools to promote the cognitive, psycho-motor, and affective skills of the baby, the child and the adolescent, producing highly successful adults with above-average abilities.
Dr. Michael Jansen decides to share with Estela the 12 Steps from the protocol. In the meantime, she finds out about her own unplanned pregnancy. What better time to find out if The Steps really work?
Although Estela and Dr. Jansen are fictional characters in this book, the child development research discussed in the book and its real-world value to parents are factual. The 12 Steps contain vital parenting tips that any Mom or Dad can use to:
Increase the probability of your children being well-adjusted, self-confident and above average in school and social situations Teach children to read and to love books at any early age and to advance faster than their peers How to raise children with values and morals Understand how babies learn and how positive reinforcement accelerates school success How to encourage creativity for kids Feel more confident in yourselves as parents and ensure that you are ready for your newborn baby Set goals for children that guarantee success and teach your child the grit needed to achieve them Deal with difficult parenting issues, like ADHD, lack of focus, antisocial behavior and low self-esteem289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2019
96 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 2, 2019
Excellent Parenting Guide!
This is a great reading for anybody who has a new baby in their life or even for parents with older children such as myself. I do a lot of reading and part of my reading list undoubtedly includes parenting books. There is so much to learn and understand about raising another human being that it can sometimes get overwhelming. This book does a great job of presenting a lot of information in an anecdotal way which makes it easier to understand, digest, and ultimately employee in your own life. It also touches on very modern and relatable fears that parents have about raising their children in our ever changing world.This is definitely a book to keep in your parenting library and refer to it over and over again as your child grows.
This is a great reading for anybody who has a new baby in their life or even for parents with older children such as myself. I do a lot of reading and part of my reading list undoubtedly includes parenting books. There is so much to learn and understand about raising another human being that it can sometimes get overwhelming. This book does a great job of presenting a lot of information in an anecdotal way which makes it easier to understand, digest, and ultimately employee in your own life. It also touches on very modern and relatable fears that parents have about raising their children in our ever changing world.This is definitely a book to keep in your parenting library and refer to it over and over again as your child grows.
September 12, 2019
This is a wonderful read for parents or parents to be! The author manages to fill this book with advice without sounding "preachy" and without filling the pages with dry facts from University or Government studies. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 11, 2019
I just finished the book. Made me cry in the end. Loved the story of Estella and Dr. Michael Jansen,. Many solid tips to new parents. I am a mother of two toddlers and just loved it.
September 20, 2019
This is book will be my favorite thing to give to new/expecting parents & grandparents. I am a grandmother and I don't know a lot of science based texts (and this is VERY scientifically sound writing) that I would call a "page turner," but that is exactly what this is. The word "12 Steps: 12 Secrets to Raising Happy and Successful Kids" in the title turns a lot of people off, understandably - this seems like one of those books that says-- do this, don´t do that - but I assure you that there are anytype in the way it comes across. It's a fascinating Story about a journalist who encounters Dr. Michael Jansen and his 12 Steps. It is a great read that I wish was required reading!
September 16, 2019
As a mother, I keep an eye out for new books about child development. This book is diverent than what I first tought. Let me explain: I thought it was like every other bok out there, but it is DIFFERENT. The story about Estela, ictor, Sofia and Dr. Michael Jansen really kept me turning pages, and the instructions the neuroscientist transmits is very easy to assimilate. Great. A real game changer!
September 9, 2019
Excellent book for those expectant mothers, or even new parents (moms and dads).
September 10, 2019
I liked the way the author transformed a Parenting book into a story
September 10, 2019
I am enjoying...
September 10, 2019
As a new father thought this book to be valid.
October 13, 2019
This is a great resource to improve your parenting. It not only helps ensure the success of your children, but also the success of you as a parent. You are given excellent steps and advice that create a proactive relationship between parents and kids. It's nice having a valuable resource like this created by experts in the field of child development that can offer actual first hand and professional advice.
September 12, 2019
May this book help many parentes like me. I recommend it to anyone.
September 14, 2019
Great book
My wife is expecting our first child, and we both enjoyed this book on Audible. Every new parent should listen. Worth every penny.
My wife is expecting our first child, and we both enjoyed this book on Audible. Every new parent should listen. Worth every penny.
May 28, 2020
Yikes! This book was awful - I should have known when no library in the state is carrying it.
The format is intended for parents who don't like non-fiction writing style - the tips are couched in a narrative of a naive, beautiful reporter who simultaneously figures out she's pregnant AND meets a kindly, older doctor "with a kind and paternal aura" who leads her through his teachings conversationally over time.
*Maybe* that'd be OK, but the techniques are presented as "this is what parents who *really* care about their children would do" which is rude, and "your baby can have super skills if you just follow my methods" which is problematic and typically untrue.
I think the aim is to capture parents worried about learning disabilities who also dislike non-fiction writing - and convince them that this one recipe will solve their problems. I can't recommend it in the slightest. If you want better researched writing about baby development, instead try "Cribsheet" or "The Wonder Weeks" which both have a better portrait of current data and don't talk down to the reader.
The format is intended for parents who don't like non-fiction writing style - the tips are couched in a narrative of a naive, beautiful reporter who simultaneously figures out she's pregnant AND meets a kindly, older doctor "with a kind and paternal aura" who leads her through his teachings conversationally over time.
*Maybe* that'd be OK, but the techniques are presented as "this is what parents who *really* care about their children would do" which is rude, and "your baby can have super skills if you just follow my methods" which is problematic and typically untrue.
I think the aim is to capture parents worried about learning disabilities who also dislike non-fiction writing - and convince them that this one recipe will solve their problems. I can't recommend it in the slightest. If you want better researched writing about baby development, instead try "Cribsheet" or "The Wonder Weeks" which both have a better portrait of current data and don't talk down to the reader.
September 24, 2019
Do you want your child to develop the right way? THIS IS YOUR BOOK!
This book gives you an understanding of how to focus on positive reinforcement for kids. With every chapter, with each Step, you grow from inside out as a mother and understand many of our kids behaviors. The authors talk about connection, play, reading, self-control… The precious teachings contained here will resonate wheather you are a new mom, a new dad or a grandparent. We all want our kids to succeed, and the teachings of this book make all the sense in the world, and you'll notice you can apply them in every aspect of your life. The story is wonderfully written, clear and easy to understand (no doctorese here) and incorporate in your life. Love how to spark creativity in my kids, focus, and will try the mindfulness tecnique with them someday.
This book gives you an understanding of how to focus on positive reinforcement for kids. With every chapter, with each Step, you grow from inside out as a mother and understand many of our kids behaviors. The authors talk about connection, play, reading, self-control… The precious teachings contained here will resonate wheather you are a new mom, a new dad or a grandparent. We all want our kids to succeed, and the teachings of this book make all the sense in the world, and you'll notice you can apply them in every aspect of your life. The story is wonderfully written, clear and easy to understand (no doctorese here) and incorporate in your life. Love how to spark creativity in my kids, focus, and will try the mindfulness tecnique with them someday.
October 15, 2019
The Steps is a must read for any parent. The concept of putting all of this information into a fictional story to make it easier to understand is brilliant. It was like a novel you couldn't put down but also gave all of this valuable insight and tried and true parenting tips. I highly recommend it for new parents as well as experienced parents.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
September 20, 2019
I really liked the book.
I have a 2-year-old son and I am pregnant of my second baby.
I loved the Steps. It is an engaging and fun-to-read translation of the best research on child development and effective parenting. I wish I raise my babies to be 2 complete adults.
Liked the story of Michael Jansen, Estela and Victor.
I have a 2-year-old son and I am pregnant of my second baby.
I loved the Steps. It is an engaging and fun-to-read translation of the best research on child development and effective parenting. I wish I raise my babies to be 2 complete adults.
Liked the story of Michael Jansen, Estela and Victor.
October 1, 2019
Recommended for new parents!
The author creatively uses a fictional story to provide sound parenting advice. The woman’s story will keep you entertained while providing teachable moments through 12 district steps to raising successful children. Well done and well-written!
The author creatively uses a fictional story to provide sound parenting advice. The woman’s story will keep you entertained while providing teachable moments through 12 district steps to raising successful children. Well done and well-written!
January 7, 2020
Good way to spread the best message of raising strong and confident children
This is not the usual book instructing how to raise children, but the way its been put as a story keeps you wanting to know till the end.
This is not the usual book instructing how to raise children, but the way its been put as a story keeps you wanting to know till the end.
April 22, 2021
While the narrative style makes this book easy to digest, I found the style very off putting. The story came across as nearly a soap opera to me.
Unfortunately the parenting content does not make up for the story aspect. It's presented with an infomercial level of giddiness, promising miracle babies if you follow the steps. Some of the content is helpful, and some banal (get your kids to read books and care about the environment).
It's just not very good.
I wouldn't have finished this book except that I received a free copy of the audiobook and had agreed to review it (...in 2019...Sorry Xavier).
Unfortunately the parenting content does not make up for the story aspect. It's presented with an infomercial level of giddiness, promising miracle babies if you follow the steps. Some of the content is helpful, and some banal (get your kids to read books and care about the environment).
It's just not very good.
I wouldn't have finished this book except that I received a free copy of the audiobook and had agreed to review it (...in 2019...Sorry Xavier).
August 2, 2021
The Steps: 12 Secrets To Raising Happy and Successful Kids was a good read by Andrew Watson and Charles Watson. In The Steps: 12 Secrets to Raising Happy and Successful Kids, authors and child development experts Andrew Watson, MD and Charles Watson, MD, Ph.D draw on decades of experience helping countless of struggling new parents to write an engaging translation of the best research in the field of positive parenting and child development. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the authors.
February 19, 2025
Good content, cheesy story. White man idolisation, obsession with the protagonist's dimples and good handsome her husband and beautiful her daughter are. Superficial preoccupation with aesthetics. Too picture perfect: nothing about dealing with the hardships of parenting.
They make it sound like parenting is easy. Things like "encourage your child", and not "how to encourage a screaming child that doesn't want to be encouraged" etc.
They make it sound like parenting is easy. Things like "encourage your child", and not "how to encourage a screaming child that doesn't want to be encouraged" etc.
June 16, 2020
Excellent book about parenting. I enjoyed very much the narration style. It is a new approach to parenting. Great tips also. Simply loved Dr. Michael Jansen and Estella.
I also bought the audible version and listened to it. The narrator is awesome. 5 stars.
I also bought the audible version and listened to it. The narrator is awesome. 5 stars.
June 16, 2020
Trully enjoyable. Doesn ot seem like a parenting book at all. The reading flows at great pace.
September 23, 2019
If you really want your children to suceed, this book will help!
Well, I was raised without the basic knowledge of caring. My father was a drunk and my mother just worked a lot (maybe to escape him). So, when I read the first step, about connection, I just cried. Wow, how important to show love, instead of just feeling love.
This is a easy read and makes it easy to change yourself as the story progresses. It can be done. You will have a better relationship with your children, and will help a lot. Read it, it will pay off!
Well, I was raised without the basic knowledge of caring. My father was a drunk and my mother just worked a lot (maybe to escape him). So, when I read the first step, about connection, I just cried. Wow, how important to show love, instead of just feeling love.
This is a easy read and makes it easy to change yourself as the story progresses. It can be done. You will have a better relationship with your children, and will help a lot. Read it, it will pay off!
February 10, 2020
Loved the story. Will apply the steps with my 2 kids. Downloaded the app but it seems off-line.
September 14, 2019
Thank you for this book
I recieved this book to make a review. Well, my thoughts were: WOW. Such a great book! Easy to read, fun, very helpful.
I recieved this book to make a review. Well, my thoughts were: WOW. Such a great book! Easy to read, fun, very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews