What's Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life by Lise Eliot Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of What's Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life
Book Review: the only parenting book I've used
Summary: 5 Stars
I've browsed through other parenting books written by "parenting experts", but a quick glance always let me know that their claims were dubious and didn't pertain to all the different kinds of children out there. This book does not try to tell you how to act as a parent, instead it tells you what is physiologically going on inside their bodies and brains so that you can figure it out for yourself.For example, when my son was around 1 1/2 I recognized that he was going through a verbal growth phenomenon (that every child experiences) refered to as "fast mapping" in the book. Children at this age have the most extraordinary ability to understand new words through context at a mind boggling rate. The author described it as something that no supercomputer array in the world is able to do as fast as a toddler. Since his brain might never again be that willing to absorb new data I decided to try to teach him as much as I could easily. He became potty trained at 18 mo. By 21 mo. he was able to recognize the uppercase and lowercase alphabet. By 27 mo he knew all the states, capitals, planets, and many dinosaurs and presidents. His learning frenzy slowed down by the time he was 2 1/2, but now at almost 3 1/2 he does have the ability to read at a 1st grade level.
But it's not just in academic areas that this book is beneficial. It also imparts the research done in behavioral areas. I learned how beneficial constant interaction and affection has on children's behavior, and so adopted that approach. It also gave examples about the benefit of positive reinforcement, consistant discipline, and logical consequences. We have found these preemptive actions on our part has led to a relatively easy introduction into parenting. Basically, because we know "what's going on in there", we know what to do to get the results we want to get.
Although I bought this book when my son was a few months old, I now give it to my pregnant friends because of it's clear-cut pregnancy advice, supported by research rather than word of mouth. It outlines all the environmental and even psychological factors that can have a tangible effect on your child. For example, most concerned pregnant moms give up caffeine to prevent birth defects. But when this claim is subject to the scientific method, even copious amounts of caffeine have no effect on the babies. But research does indicate that the mother's stress level does have at least a short term impact on the baby's brain. So in that way the book directs you to put your focus more on your psychological well being than on avoiding Diet Coke.
Overall, a tremendous resource.
Book Review: Scientific and Easy to Read
Summary: 5 Stars
Even with a 9 month old this book was a breeze to read, but not because it lacks in substance. Lise Eliot does a fantastic job of explaining the cognitive development of children without sounding like an article in a scientific journal. Her conversational tone makes her detailed descriptions of brain development fascinating to read.So far this has been my favorite book on child development.
Book Review: A Great Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is wonderful. It is full of great information. I suggest reading it while pregnant since the development of the baby is covered from conception. Some if the information is technical, and in fact when discussing it with my husband who is a medical student, I ended up teaching him a few things! I have covered the pages with notes and highlights and have gone back to it many times when I want to find out how far my daughter can see at her age or what she can hear etc. An amazing book for an amazing time in a parent's life.Book Review: Amazing book from which every parent could benefit
Summary: 5 Stars
This book contains so much detailed information on how our brains develop - at the cellular level - it is amazing that it is so readable (although I am slightly geeky about these things). There is a chapter devoted to each of the five senses and how they develop in the brain, as well as to the basic biology of brain development, prenatal influences on the developing brain, motor milestones, memory, social-emotional growth, intellegence, why babies love to be bounced, how to raise a smarter child, and more. Each chapter describes how each sense or aspect of the brain works, how it developed in the womb, and how it will continue to develop as the child grows. What makes it so great is that it is full of descriptions of the studies that the information is based on (in an interesting, anecdotal way) and lots of little stories and examples from the author's experiences with her own children.
Even with my son being only four months old, I already feel like this book has given me some direction in aiding his development. It also makes me feel better about what I have been doing so far. It explains why parents do some seemingly odd things, like talking in high-pitched voices with exaggerated faces, and exactly why breast milk is better for babies than formula.
I first found this book at the library, but I'm here to purchase my own copy for future reference. I only wish I had found it sooner: this is a fabulous book for new parents - preferably those who are still pregnant - since the information on how to foster the best possible brain development begins in the womb.
Book Review: buy it before you're due
Summary: 5 Stars
This book describes what's going on in a child's nervous system from the moment of conception, making it as interesting to read (maybe more) than your favorite pregnancy guide. Eliot has one axe to grind: she argues that it's partly "nature" but mostly "nurture" and proceeds to put fine points of distinctions on the components of those buzzwords.There's not much plain advice in this book, other than to learn a lot about neurobiological development. Eliot does a great job of inspiring interest in the field and then breaking it down to an easy level of comprehension. It's an easy read but a long one--I'm having a hard time keeping up while also keeping up with my new daughter. Has it made a difference in her development? Maybe, but Eliot's book has definitely increased my confidence and patience as a parent. That's something that the raft of know-nothing advice books can't claim.