Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I haven't found anything as brilliant as this. It really puts the importance of nurturing your baby from day one into perspective. Everyone who has young children, works with children, or is going to have children MUST READ THIS. There is ground breaking scientific information that is really spelled out for those non-neurologists.

Being a first time parent, we are very interested in how that little mind of our baby works and learns. This book really helps to understand HOW they learn, and why it's important to spend quality time with your baby (either you or a caregiver) and how important the first few years are.

The author also talks about interesting subjects such as TV, the importance of play and talking to babies.

I bought this book in part because of the great reviews and I have to say I particulartly appreciated her writing and the way she cites the references to reasearch done to back up the information she gives in the book.

Excellent buy. I love playing with my daughter knowing how I'm helping that little brain of hers grow and learn :)

As a psychologist experienced in neuropsychology and cognitive treatment, I just love this book. I bought it sometime before baby was born, and it really details the cognitive and emotional development of baby, especially in the first year or so. She reviews great activities to stimulate your child cognitively, and is not too commercial (as she does sell her own products). As a first time parent, I found this book had all sorts of useful ideas, and would recemmend it highly!

I disagree with the review about this book not being the book to get your child to Harvard. The author of this book raised a Ph.D. (She talks about her own children and their development in her introduction.) That said, the book is a little technical. It doesn't just dispense a list of games you should play with your child, the book explains how a child's mind develop and suggests things you can do to nurture and stimulate this development. Its also very complete, I recently checked for tips on stimulating a child's musical development and lo-and-behold there is an entire chapter that is SPOT ON. Finally, the suggestions in this book are free or very inexpensive. The author isn't trying to sell a product, she's trying to help us teach our babies skills that will help them all through life. Its worth reading over and over again. This is the single best book purchase I think I have made for my baby. Really, a fantastic resource. It's better than I even expected.

Practical, fairly detailed descriptions of relationship building/ brain development milestones and underlying theory are very engaging, full of great facts, which make decision-making on child development choices much easier

This book is an excellent description of how parents/caregivers can support healthy cognitive and emotional development in small children. It's extremely reinforcing for things you do naturally as a parent, and also provides great recommendations for new activities.

a great book to give ideas how to stimulate your child. I sadly lost this book, I think I handed it in to the library by mistake, so had to take it out again to finish read and reread! I can't say I follow every suggestion, but I try incorparte it where I can during our daily activities.