Haim G. Ginott (originally Ginzburg; 5 August 1922 – 4 November 1973) was a school teacher, a child psychologist and psychotherapist and a parent educator. He pioneered techniques for conversing with children that are still taught today. His book, Between Parent and Child, stayed on the best seller list for over a year and is still popular today. This book sets out to give "specific advice derived from basic communication principles that will guide parents in living with children in mutual respect and dignity."
Ginott's career began as an Elementary School teacher in Israel in 1947. After emigrating to the United States he studied psychology at Columbia University, where he earned a doctorate in clinical psychology in 1952.
Never deny or ignore a child's feelings.
Only behavior is treated as unacceptable, not the child.
Depersonalize negative interactions by mentioning only the problem. "I see a messy room."
Attach rules to things, e.g., "Little sisters are not for hitting."
Dependence breeds hostility. Let children do for themselves what they can.
Children need to learn to choose, but within the safety of limits. "Would you like to wear this blue shirt or this red one?"
Limit criticism to a specific event—don't say "never", "always", as in: "You never listen," "You always manage to spill things", etc.
Refrain from using words that you would not want the child to repeat.
Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish were members of a parenting group run by Dr. Ginott, and state in an introduction that Dr. Ginott's classes were the inspiration for the books they wrote.
"If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others."
^ a b c d Ginott, Dr., Haim (2003). Between Parent and Child: The Bestselling Classic That Revolutionized Parent-Child Communication (Revised and Updated). New York: Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-609-80988-1.
^ Goddard, H. W., & Ginott, A. (2002). Haim Ginott. In N. J. Salkind (Ed.), Macmillan psychology reference series, Vol. 1: Child development (pp. 167-168). New York: Macmillan Reference.
^ a b Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish; illustrations by Kimberly Ann Coe (1999). How to talk so kids will listen & listen so kids will talk. New York, N.Y: Avon books. ISBN 0-380-81196-0.
^ a b Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish. Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too. Perennial Currents. ISBN 0-380-79900-6.
^ a b c Dr. Haim G. Ginott (1969), Between Parent and Teenager, New York, NY: Scribner. ISBN 0-02-543350-4.
^ a b Dr. Haim G. Ginott (1975), Teacher and child: A book for parents and teachers, New York, NY: Macmillan. ISBN 0-380-00323-6.