Magic Trees of the Mind : How to Nurture Your Child's Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence [Paperback]

Marian Diamond (Author), Janet Hopson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999

Cutting edge scientific research has shown that exposure to the right kind of environment during the first years of life actually affects the physical structure of a child's brain, vastly increasing the number of neuron branches--the "magic trees of the mind"--that help us to learn, think, and remember. At each stage of development, the brain's ability to gain new skills and process information is refined. As a leading researcher at the University of California at Berkeley, Marion Diamond has been a pioneer in this field of research. Now, Diamond and award-winning science writer Janet Hopson present a comprehensive enrichment program designed to help parents prepare their children for a lifetime of learning.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Plume (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452278309
• ISBN-13: 978-0452278301
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good addition to your parenting library, February 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic Trees of the Mind : How to Nurture Your Child's Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence (Paperback)

This book explains in detail the results of numerous brain research studies. The most important part, though, are the implications for parents, in terms of the type of experiences, toys, and caring that we should provide at particular stages of child development. At first, browsing this book in a bookstore, I decided not to buy it because I also thought that it espouses a pressured, pushy kind of parenting. But now that I've read it, I realized I was wrong. In fact, the authors emphasize that a child's intellectual growth is inevitably tied to his or her emotionoal growth, and so an important part of stimulating our children's minds is to provide an emotionally stable home and unconditional love. I disagree with an earlier reviewer who said this book encourages parents to push their children into over-achievement. Instead, the book brings our attention to the fascinating changes and growth that our children's brains and intellect go through, with suggestions for gently nurturing them. In fact, on p. 167 the authors cite books by David Elkind, who "warns parents and educators about the dangers ... in teaching academic subjects to young children." The chapters are divided by age group. Each chapter discusses the particular stage in terms of development in language, math, science, music, etc. Then each chapter ends with a description of an "enrichment program" appropriate to that stage. The end of the book is composed of a resource guide and enrichment tools including books, games and toys, models and puzzles, muscial instruments, art materials, lessons and classes, outins and trips, sports equipment, cds/tapes/records, videos, and computer software. Altogether this book is a valuable resource for parents.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required Reading for Parents, Educators, and Politicians!!!, April 3, 1998

By 

Richard Schroeder [e-mail] (Barrington, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Trees of the Mind: An Innovative pgm Nurture your Child's Intelligence Creativity Healthy Emotions (Hardcover)

As an elementary teacher and future parent, this book is perhaps the most influential work that I have ever read. While participating in a Brain-Research Workshop a few months ago, our facilitator mentioned this as the #1 book (in terms of child development) for parents, teachers, and anyone else who spends time with children. I must say that I am in complete agreement! Dr. Diamond and Janet Hopson not only touch on the scientific aspects of brain research, but provide readers with "real-life" examples and ideas proven to develop the minds of children from conception to adulthood. This is a terrific book that is a must read. I recommend it to the parents, teachers, and administrators in my district. Don't miss out on the potential enrichment of your children.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars required reading for all parents, April 5, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magic Trees of the Mind : How to Nurture Your Child's Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence (Paperback)

This book should be required reading for all parents. Those individuals who criticize this book because of perceived differences between rat brains and human brains miss the point and have a poor understanding of neurobiology. Diamond has put together a very practical guide to educating the brain and, unlike many educational material, her suggestions are based on actual research rather than on what the current educational trend happens to be.