Avg. Customer Rating:(based on 130 reviews) Sales Rank: 5713 Category: Book
Author:Lise Eliot Publisher:Bantam Studio:Bantam Manufacturer:Bantam Label:Bantam Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published) Media: Paperback Edition: 1 Number Of Items: 1 Pages: 544 Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.5 Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1
Product Description As a research neuroscientist, Lise Eliot has made the study of the human brain her life's work. But it wasn't until she was pregnant with her first child that she became intrigued with the study of brain development. She wanted to know precisely how the baby's brain is formed, and when and how each sense, skill, and cognitive ability is developed. And just as important, she was interested in finding out how her role as a nurturer can affect this complex process. How much of her baby's development is genetically ordained--and how much is determined by environment? Is there anything parents can do to make their babies' brains work better--to help them become smarter, happier people? Drawing upon the exploding research in this field as well as the stories of real children, What's Going On in There? is a lively and thought-provoking book that charts the brain's development from conception through the critical first five years. In examining the many factors that play crucial roles in that process, What's Going On in There? explores the evolution of the senses, motor skills, social and emotional behaviors, and mental functions such as attention, language, memory, reasoning, and intelligence. This remarkable book also discusses:
how a baby's brain is "assembled" from scratch the critical prenatal factors that shapebrain development how the birthing process itself affects the brain which forms of stimulation are most effective at promoting cognitive development how boys' and girls' brains develop differently how nutrition, stress, and other physical and social factors can permanently affect a child's brain
Brilliantly blending cutting-edge science with a mother's wisdom and insight, What's Going On in There? is an invaluable contribution to the nature versus nurture debate. Children's development is determined both by the genes they are born with and the richness of their early environment. This timely and important book shows parents the innumerable ways in which they can actually help their children grow better brains.
Amazon.com Review Though not for the impatient, What's Going on in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life will undoubtedly make you a better parent. It is thick, detailed, and scientific. But it is also accessible to parents who have the time and patience to immerse themselves in the latest research on brain development. And for those who do, the rewards can be great.
You'll understand the inner workings of the brain like never before. You'll learn the latest thinking on the nature vs. nurture question. You'll gain invaluable insights into the evolution of the senses, motor skills, social and emotional growth, memory, language, and intelligence. But most importantly, you'll understand--maybe for the first time--exactly how great your contribution as a parent can be to the development of your young child's brain. Written by Lise Eliot, Ph.D., a neurobiologist and mother of three, What's Going on in There? is an immensely intelligent labor of love. It is based on the author's own "odyssey of discovery" as she sought answers to questions about her own role in carrying, delivering, and parenting her children. --Kelley Smith
Read it while pregnant November 16, 2008 I read this book while I was pregnant with my daughter. I reread it later. It is a cogent work that helps us to understand the brain. I think my daughter has benefited tremendously! A must read for any expectant parent or anyone with young children.
Very Tough Read October 24, 2008 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Neither my daughter or I have made much progress reading it. It's not really written for a lay person.
Fascinating account of neurological development October 13, 2008 This is a fascinating account of how the brain develops in early life, and how this maps to changing behavior. "What's Going On in There?" is written for a lay audience and is very accessible.
I only have two grievances with this book. The first is that although it is written in a very readable narrative format, I wish she put a reference section at the end with diagrams, timelines, references, etc to summarize the narrative - because you probably won't memorize all of the fascinating detail on first read, but then it is difficult to locate specific information later on when you are trying to remember something. The other grievance is that she makes many assertions without citing references - a pet peeve of mine, but this is not something that is likely to bother most readers. But again, this is a good book, and it is the only one I know about this fascinating topic.
Not what I expected September 16, 2008 1 out of 6 found this review helpful
I was disappointed. It's all about the scientific aspect of the brain (developing in the womb, how it compares to animals brains, how it develops in childhool). There's only 1 chapter at the very end on what you can do as a parent to help positively affect the growth and development of your child's brain. Skip this one!
Fantastic information for parents September 5, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I found this book really insightful and full of great practical infomation that helps me understand my baby girl.
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