What's Going on in There? A Book for Curious Parents

Sorry I've been delinquent in posting! We just moved into our first real house over the weekend, which is very exciting, but which also means that life is completely chaotic right now. Blogging has had to take a backseat to unpacking boxes, hanging shelves and curtains, and generally trying to pull things back together. Unfortunately, I still don't really have time to put together a full post, but I wanted to let you know about a book that I've been reading and that I think is incredibly interesting.

It's called What's Going on in There? and it's by Dr. Lise Eliot, a neuroscientist and mother of three.



The book offers a pretty comprehensive (but easy to follow) overview of current scientific knowledge about infant and early childhood brain development, and talks about how that knowledge can influence parenting decisions. I think it would be a great read for any parent curious about what's going on in their baby's brain, and who wants to know more about how their actions as a parent can influence their child's development. I'm pasting the book description from the publisher below.

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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 shape brain 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.