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

Jill Stamm (Author)

Book Description

Publication 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

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Gotham; Reprint edition (July 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159240362X
• ISBN-13: 978-1592403622
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not As Helpful as I Had Hoped, February 16, 2009

By 

Laura Guenthner (Bentonville, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mindfrom Birth to Age 3 (Mass Market Paperback)

I was looking for a very fact-/research-based book with recommendations for the right activities at the right time to stimulate my children's minds. I found this book to be a bit too basic. If you consider yourself to be a pretty vigilant parent, already very engaged and interactive with your kids, then you are probably already covering all of the basics at the heart of this book. I was hoping for a more informative resource that would teach me how and why certain specific activities can boost learning potential - I didn't quite get that from this book. In a visual sense, I am looking for a book that helps me fine-tune their learning - I want to feel like I'm perfecting the top part of the pyramid. This book seems more appropriate if you just want a general understanding of how the things you do every day contribute to your child's development, and need some general ideas for activities. A more interesting book, for me (though geared mostly toward infants) was What's Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Parents, January 3, 2011

By 

Momma MM "Michelle M." (NORWALK, CT, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mindfrom Birth to Age 3 (Mass Market Paperback)

If I could only buy one book on infants from 0-3, this would be it. Let me begin by saying that this is not the book for someone who wants to figure out how to get their kid to Harvard. This book is for Mom's (or caregivers) who want to really understand how their baby's brains are developing and what they can do to help foster that development (this point is really important). This is not another book about what to expect when, instead it's about how you can engage with your child throughout their life to help them reach their utmost potential (whatever it may be) and be the happiest little people possible. The author is incredibly well versed on the topic, writes in a very approachable and engaging format and gives lots of great ideas on things to do with your kids as they grow up. As a neuro-scientist, with a daughter who suffered severe developmental challenges, she writes from a perspective of both a mother and a scientist and uses many personal stories that make the research she does come to life. She explains the basics of a baby's developing brain so that when she later gives tips and advice as to which games/activities are appropriate when, you know why they're appropriate, and which aspect of her development your helping foster. Instead of just stating that you shouldn't expose children under the age of two to TV she explains why, based on how the brain develops. The games she suggests are all simple and you need nothing more than simple household objects (no fancy, expensive toys necessary). The book format is great for future reference so if you're child is 18 months, you can quickly find the activities that are good brain developers for that time. Overall, a must read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a refreshingly "bright" book!, April 7, 2009

By 

Teacher Momma (Grants Pass, OR) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mindfrom Birth to Age 3 (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is an intelligent and interesting read. While giving the scientific evidence of brain development, it nicely mixes very practical, down to earth information. I think all new parents, caregivers, family members, etc... should read this book. Finally a book that gives the scientific evidence of why basic toys are best without all the "educational electronic hype", why we need to turn our televisions off NOW, and fresh ideas of how to engage and bond with your child.