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Brain Rules for Baby

How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five

By John Medina

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I’m a little crazy.  And recently, one of my colleagues lent me her extra copy of the preschool curriculum guide, which had DETAILED milestone charts up to age 5 or 6, including social, emotional, physical and academic topics.  “Feeding” my crazy, she called it. :)  It also had ideas to help develop the skills described.  After poring over it, I decided that Adam is right on schedule…ahead in some areas, slightly behind in a few others, but overall, doing really well.

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Why am I crazy like this?  Well, my college education was all about teaching children.  I know lots about older kids, especially 9 – 11 year olds, since that’s who I’ve been working with the most.  I know where they should be, and for the most part, how to get them there.

But I know relatively little about babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  I know I want to provide my kiddos with opportunities for growth, independence, and problem solving, but I don’t feel like I know exactly how to go about doing it.

Education is my passion, and that extends to my own children, too.  I’m not nearly as worried about nutrition or motor skills as some parents, and I think it’s because of my “real” job and educational background.  So I am doing the same thing I do when I’m not sure what to do with my “real” students – researching!

I just started reading Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five.  My mother in law “fed my crazy” and got it for me.  I plan to share a few tips here and there as I read, so you can learn along with me.

Anyone read it?  Any other great parenting books I should know about?

Would you like to comment?

  1. I relied on Dr Spock and look how great you turned out!! Mom

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  2. Were we separated at birth????? I am the same way!!! I may have to get this book and we can read it together and have a book club!

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  3. Dang! Little Bear just turned six and she is as whiny as all get out! Maybe some of those rules can still apply!;-)

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  4. Sounds like a very good book. Can't wait to hear about it! Then I'll have to run out and get it!

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  5. Katie, John Medina goes to our church! He is an excellent speaker, and I especially enjoyed his talks on the way the brain works that I borrowed from the church library. I wish we had taken some of the Love and Logic classes he and our pastor offered, but we didn't.

    He also has a book "Brain Rules" (just plain Brain Rules) that my father-in-law has. Now your post has inspired me to do two things: 1. Buy "Brain Rules for Baby" for my sister and 2. Borrow "Brain Rules" from my father-in-law!

    I hope you are doing well, and enjoying the Christmas season so far! :)

    Blessings,
    Jenni

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  6. Sounds like a good read! :) My mom is an educational coordinator for the 3-county area Head Start program and is ALL OVER what the kids should be doing and when...which tends to make me a little more relaxed about it...when you love them & pray for them, it all turns out OK in the end. :)

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