NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman argue that many modern parenting strategies backfire because they rely on outdated assumptions rather than neurological and behavioral data. The book examines specific studies showing that praising a child’s intelligence can actually decrease their motivation and performance. It details how sleep deprivation mimics the symptoms of ADHD and why children often lie to satisfy the adults around them. The authors also address the failure of diversity programs that avoid direct discussions about race, suggesting these silence-based approaches inadvertently reinforce bias in toddlers.
Parents and educators read this book to challenge conventional wisdom with scientific evidence. It appeals to those who prefer data over anecdotes and want to understand the biological reasons behind a child’s social or academic struggles. Readers walk away with practical changes for their daily routines, such as adjusting bedtimes for brain development or modifying the way they provide feedback on schoolwork. The text provides a toolkit for identifying which popular child-rearing myths are counterproductive to raising resilient and honest children.
Growth-minded and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Growth Strategist. Which reader are you?
Insights from NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
“Sibling relationships are the only ones where it's okay to be a jerk and still expect to be loved.”
Siblings fight way more than we think. On average, they have a conflict every ten minutes when playing together.
“The kids who don't argue are the ones who have simply given up on their parents.”
Teens who argue with their parents are actually the ones most likely to listen. It shows they still care about the relationship.
“Willpower is a muscle, and it can be fatigued.”
Self-control is a better predictor of success than IQ. It can be taught through play and specific mental exercises.
“Preschoolers are often unable to connect the dots between the bad behavior and the eventual lesson.”
Educational television often teaches the opposite of what we want. Kids pick up on the conflict between characters but miss the resolution at the end.
- Published
- 2008
- Publisher
- Twelve
- ISBN
- 9780446504126
- Language
- EN
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