Welcome to Your Child's Brain: How the Mind Grows from Conception to College [Hardcover]
- Author by Aamodt, Sandra; Wang, Sam
Editorial Reviews
From Publisher
How children think is one of the most enduring mysteries-and difficulties-encountered by parents. In an effort to raise our children smarter, happier, stronger, and better, parents will try almost anything, from vitamins to toys to DVDs. But how can we tell marketing from real science? And what really goes through your kid's growing mind-as an infant, in school, and during adolescence?
Neuroscientists Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang (who is also a parent) explain the facets and functions of the developing brain, discussing salient subjects such as sleep problems, language learning, gender differences, and autism. They dispel common myths about important subjects such as the value of educational videos for babies, the meaning of ADHD in the classroom, and the best predictor of academic success (hint: It's not IQ ). Most of all, this book helps you know when to worry, how to respond, and, most important, when to relax.
"Welcome to Your Child's Brain" upends myths and misinformation with practical advice, surprising revelations, and real, reliable science. It's essential reading for parents of children of any age, from infancy well into their teens.
Reviews
- From Publishers Weekly
- Neuroscientists Aamodt and Wang take a fresh approach to brain research, focusing on how the brain develops from infancy to young adulthood, debunking myths, and offering parents practical tips along the way. The text is organized into seven major parts that examine such areas as how the brain works, the "serious business" of play, and the brain at school. The authors reveal that the brain builds largely through automatic programs and adapts to the environment, noting that most kids are like "dandelions"they will develop on schedule as long as circumstances are acceptable if not perfect. This takes some pressure off parents, but "Genes and environment are irrevocably entangled throughout your child's life." And though the brain develops according to its own schedule, there are practical steps parents can make to enhance its progress: for instance, though vision develops at its own pace, outdoor play improves it; sports and physical activity benefit the developing brain, and mothers who eat fish while pregnant give their baby's brain a head start. The authors are consummate myth busters: birth order, research reveals, has little impact on personality, and the left-brain is as emotionally charged as the right. In this info-packed text, Aamodt and Wang offer some familiar advice (e.g., no videos for children under two) as well as some thought-provoking revelations. (Sept.) Copyright 2011 Reed Business Information.
Quote Reviews
- "Dr. Wang and Dr. Aamodt playfully and engagingly introduce us to the hidden talents of our children's brains." --Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of "The Dr. Oz Show""" "Few humans are as neurotic as parents, frantic about the disastrous lifelong consequences of every errant hiccup. In this smart, funny, accessible, and supremely sane book, Aamodt and Wang explain that our supposed knowledge in this realm is riddled with urban myths and that a child's brain is tough and resilient in the face of adversity. This is a terrific, fun, educational book."" --"Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., author of "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers" "Fact-filled and fascinating, "Welcome to Your Child's Brain" will answer many of parents' most urgent questions. Neuroscientists Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang present the real data that will help parents understand and nurture their children of all ages." "--"Dr. Lise Eliot, associate professor of neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University and author of "What's Going On in There?" and "
