Keith J White

This book affirms the wisdom of the ages that it takes a village to raise a child. In such a village, the ultimate outcome that all villagers share is the growth of love: within each of its children, between children and their family and community, and children and their Creator and the natural world. Dr White takes the reader on a voyage of discovery, laced with stories drawn from a lifetime of personal experience, blended with child development theory and psychotherapy, and a deep knowledge of the Judaeo-Christian faith and scriptures. All this is summarised in a framework that can be shared by all villagers seeking to help the growth of love in their children, whether parents, professionals, or neighbours. Using the five fingers of a hand, the key elements are: security, boundaries, significance, community and creativity. Parenting of children is not restricted to biological relatives: all have a potential part to play in the growth of love. The seeds of love sown in the earliest moments of the life of a child can be nurtured by this rich social compost, set within the rhythms and seasons of the natural world.

A collection of articles, written for The Therapeutic Care Journal over a period from 20015 to 2022, based on the same raw material as the book The Growth of Love (BRF, 2008). The columns in The Therapeutic Care Journal were intended to be accessible to all who are involved with children, whether as parents, carers, teachers or pastors. For students preparing for work in social work or child care the book will provide welcome fresh descriptions of life with children, as well as a wealth of ideas and comments. There is an extensive index and many reference works are quoted. Reflections on Living with Children Volumes 1, 2 and 3 and The Growth of Love describe five key elements in child development: security, boundaries, significance, community and creativity. Their message is that everyone, not just teachers or professionals, has a part to play in creating the "villages" in which children and love can thrive.