Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mindfrom Birth to Age 3 [Paperback]

Jill Stamm (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 31, 2008

Now in paperback, a cutting-edge handbook for parents from a pioneer in infant brain development

Should you really read to your baby? Can teaching a baby sign language boost IQ? Should you pipe classical music into the nursery? Dr. Stamm translates the latest neuroscience findings into clear explanations and practical suggestions, demonstrating the importance of the simple ways you interact with your child every day. It isn’t the right “edu-tainment” that nurtures an infant’s brain. It is as simple as Attention, Bonding, and Communication, and it’s within every parent’s ability to provide. Practical games and tips for each developmental age group will show you not only what the latest findings are but, more importantly, tell you what to do with them.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This book is a gem and will help you enrich your child’s life and ‘nourish’ his/her growing brain with great love and intelligent fun.”
—Harvey Karp, M.D., author of The Happiest Toddler on the Block

“What we are learning today from brain research is amazing, and this book makes that research into a parent friendly tool.”
—Michael Gurian, author of Nurture the Nature and The Wonder of Boys

“If all newborns could come with an instruction book, this would be it.”
—Keneth S. Kosik , M.D., co-direct or of the Neuroscience Research Institute --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dr. Jill Stamm is the cofounder of New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development and is an associate clinical professor at Arizona State University in psychology in education. Paula Spencer is the coauthor of Dr. Harvey Karp’s bestseller The Happiest Toddler on the Block, and author of Momfidence! --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Gotham; Reprint edition (July 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159240362X
• ISBN-13: 978-1592403622
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (78 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #29 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Reference

More About the Author

Dr. Jill Stamm is the co-founder of New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development and is an associate clinical professor at Arizona State University in Psychology in Education. She is a nationally-known presenter on the subject of early brain development and has spoken before thousands of parents, caregivers, teachers, and policymakers. She knows firsthand how resilient a newborn brain is: her first daughter was born almost four months premature and doctors insisted she would never walk or talk. Stamm dedicated herself to improving her daughter's life, and 32 years later her daughter is living proof that nearly every baby's brain has the potential to adapt and flourish given the right attention.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm, informative, fun, and fascinating December 15, 2007

By Rainbird Reader

Format:Hardcover

I work as a children's librarian and sometimes lecture on early childhood literacy. This is my new textbook and parent bible. Having read dozens of similar titles, I can easily say that this one is the best. It is thorough, informative, practical, conversational and true. I learned a number of things about brain development and early learning that I had not come across previously. Dr. Stamm has some especially pointed things to say about TV and computer time for young children. When you read what a typical TV show does to a young brain you will think twice about turning that machine on in the presence of a child. As Dr. Stamm says, what you really need to be a good parent is in the palm of your hand- give them "attention, bonding and communication" as well as time to play, create, dream and explore and you will have a far smarter child than any who are plugged into "educational" products. Dr. Stamm gives scientific reasons that back up what all of us who work with children know..that children learn best by listening to words coming from loving adults, either through talking or reading, by playing and by touching. The children in our country are literally dying to communicate with people who are not on cell phones, using computers or staring at a screen-and their brains are not growing to their potential nor their attention spans when they are presented with one passive entertainment after another. Read this book and be inspired.

82 of 90 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Some good information but somewhat promotional and biased October 13, 2009

By medialint

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

First of all I must note that I read this book on iKindle (Kindle on the iPhone). I have two comments in regard to this: the first is that all the dashes--which the author used to excess--came across as question marks. This is not the author's fault of course. Her punctuation however is excessive. There is a lot of abuse of the exclamation point! All told?and this may be a quirk in the iPhone kindle?the result is often very unreadable!

Enough about grammar, the important thing is the book content. The author had a premature baby and a normal healthy baby and she shares a lot of her personal experience in this book. These stories are often touching and serve well to contrast the extremes of child development.

I found the exercises and scientific information very beneficial and I agree with most reviewers that this is a valuable book. I also found a lot of product endorsements. In many cases these endorsements seem to be self-serving.

There is also a good amount of information which is controversial or conflicting with advice you'll get from other reputable books and studies.

I think this is an excellent book to read with one or two grains of salt. There is very good advice and very good suggestions for exercises and playtime activities. As a new parent you'll trust your instincts and you'll be right to do so. This is a good source for suggestions but I wouldn't suggest it as a step by step guide to getting your child off to an intellectual head start. Love your child and trust your gut and you won't go wrong. I will use this book as a suggestion box, not a bible.

I am surprised that out of 30 reviews I am the first person not to give it five glowing stars. I do think it's a good book, but I don't think it really deserves five stars.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It doesn't take a village...just some good advice - it's here! August 10, 2007

By Greymase

Format:Hardcover

I have a son who is 7, and upon his birth (maybe before) we bought videos and music CDs and even mobiles that hung over his crib when he was but a wee cus...mostly, they scared him. My wife and I bought them ALL because we were rudderless and scared we would not provide him with what he needed to develop wihtout detriments arising from our inexperience and ignorance.

We were fortunate enough to have met Jill Stamm and heard one of her presentations (she is not new to this game) when our son was still quite young, and were comforted to have Jill's caring, expert advice. This book contains that same wonderful and comforting, easy to implement counsel, as well as the inspiring story of Jill's own experience as a mother of two wonderful daughters, each with different challenges and strengths. In all cases, her approach of nurturing neurological development instead of frantically pushing to craft an infant Einstein (turns out he had the unfair advantage of extra gleal cells) is refreshing, reassuring and CLEAR.

THIS IS THE RIGHT BOOK FOR PARENTS (AND EXPECTING PARENTS) WHO WANT USEFUL INFORMATION WITHOUT FRIGHTENING HYPE (OR MOBILES)! A GOOD READ.