Tools of the Mind helps a child develop “executive function” in the prefrontal cortex. It helps a child plan, predict, control impulses, persist through trouble, and orchestrate thoughts to fulfill a goal. Children learn how to avoid distraction, and become self-organised and self-directed. I first heard about Tools of the Mind when I read the bookContinue reading “Tools of the Mind – Creating a Play Plan”
Tag Archives: Nurture Shock
Nurture Shock: Chapter 9 – Plays Well with Others (Part 1)
“Why modern involved parenting has failed to produce a generation of angels” What makes a child more aggressive and what can we do to help them learn to get along with other children? It has always been the belief that children who watch violent shows (e.g. Star Wars, Power Rangers) are likely to be moreContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 9 – Plays Well with Others (Part 1)”
Right Brain, Nurture Shock and Educational DVDs
After reviewing the chapter from Nurture Shock about speech development, there have been a couple of questions in my mind regarding what I’ve recently read about right brain education, and language acquisition in early childhood education. The first question in my mind now is: 1. Can you still teach a child to speak a foreignContinue reading “Right Brain, Nurture Shock and Educational DVDs”
Nurture Shock: Chapter 10 – Why Hannah Talks and Alyssa Doesn’t
These are my interpretations of the book, Nurture Shock. I highly recommend reading the book if you want it straight from the horse’s mouth… In this chapter of Bronson and Merryman’s landmark book, Nurture Shock, Bronson and Merryman bring down the entire “baby education” industry with the conclusion that baby DVDs have no effect onContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 10 – Why Hannah Talks and Alyssa Doesn’t”
Nurture Shock: Chapter 7 – The Science of Teen Rebellion Part 2
Part 1 – The Science of Teenage Rebellion The most important take home point I thought was that the parents who were most consistent in enforcing rules were the ones that were most warm and had the most conversations with their children – they “set a few rules on the key spheres of influence andContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 7 – The Science of Teen Rebellion Part 2”
Nurture Shock: Chapter 7 – The Science of Teen Rebellion Part 1
Although this chapter doesn’t really relate to me now, it was still a very interesting read. It is also good preparation for me when my boys eventually become teenagers – although I often wish that they never grow up. What can I say? I’m enjoying them too much at this cute and adorable age. AllContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 7 – The Science of Teen Rebellion Part 1”
Can You Never Tell a Child He’s Smart?
Ever since I read about “The Inverse Power of Praise” I have been acutely aware of how I praise Gavin. At the same time, I am also aware of how others praise Gavin. Although I know the importance of focusing my praise on his efforts, many others are still praising his innate intelligence. So oftenContinue reading “Can You Never Tell a Child He’s Smart?”
Nurture Shock: Chapter 4 – Why Kids Lie
Well, we all know that kids lie. When they are toddlers, the belief is that they don’t know the difference between the truth and a lie because of an overactive imagination. As a parent, it is usually easy to spot these early lies because of inconsistencies and the child’s inability to make up realistic liesContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 4 – Why Kids Lie”
Nurture Shock: Chapter 3 – Why White Parents Don't Talk about Race
I found this particular chapter from Nurture Shock particularly enlightening. For so long, we’ve all naturally assumed that children are “colour blind” when it comes to racial differences. We assume that if we bring up the topic of race, we might be inadvertently drawing their attention to the differences between people of different ethnic backgrounds. WeContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 3 – Why White Parents Don't Talk about Race”
Nurture Shock: Chapter 2 – The Lost Hour
Po Bronson wrote the article “Snooze or Lose” which questions whether a lack of sleep can set back your child’s cognitive abilities? This is essentially chapter 2 from the book Nurture Shock. If you want to skip reading the book, then here’s the answer: Yes it can. I referred to this article briefly in aContinue reading “Nurture Shock: Chapter 2 – The Lost Hour”
Nurture for the Future 