Synopses & Reviews
Einstein Never Used Flash CardsHere's the message that stressed-out parents are craving to hear: It's okay to play!
In fact, it's more than just okay-- it's better than drilling academics. After decades of research, scientists and child development experts have come to a clear conclusion: Play is the best way for our children to learn.
Children who are prematurely pushed into regimented academic instruction display less creativity and enthusiasm for learning in later years.
Children who memorize isolated facts early in life show no better long-term retention than their peers.
Children who learn through play also develop social and emotional skills, which are critical for long-term success.
Somewhere along the line, we've gotten off track by stressing academic products and programs to our preschoolers. Thankfully, Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff have a simple remedy for our children that is based on overwhelming scientific evidence from their own studies and the collective research results of child development experts.
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards goes beyond debunking the myths spread by the accelerated-learning industry. Parents and educators will find a practical guide to introducing complex concepts through smart, simple, and loving play.
For every key area of a child's development (speech, reading, math, social skills, self-awareness, and intelligence), you'll understand how a child's mind actually learns. Then you'll discover exercises (40 in all) that will showcase emerging skills and leave your child smiling today-- and prepared for tomorrow.
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., is a member of the psychology department at Temple University, where she directs the Infant Language Laboratory and participated in one of the nation's largest studies of the effects of child care. The mother of three sons, she also composes and performs children's music.
Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D.0, is the H. Rodney Sharp Professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware, where she holds a joint appointment with the departments of linguistics and psychology and directs the Infant Language Project. She has also been a recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship and is the mother of a son and a daughter.
Together, the authors were featured on the PBS Human Language series and are the authors of How Babies Talk.
Diane Eyer, Ph.D., is a member of the psychology department at Temple University and author of Motherguilt and Mother-Infant Bonding.
Review
"Although the research-laden text is sometimes dense, parents will find a valuable message if they stick with the program, ultimately relieving themselves and their offspring of stress and creating a more balanced life." Publishers Weekly
Review
"[A] treasure trove of information and advice. A trustworthy parenting resource from two highly respected scholars." Linda Acredolo, author of Baby Signs
Synopsis
Two highly credentialed child psychologists offer a convincing and compelling indictment of the growing trend toward accelerated learning
Synopsis
Play Is BackReassuring to parents and educators, Einstein Never Used Flash Cards shows why-- and how-- to step away from the cult of achievement and toward a more nurturing home life full of imaginative play and love of learning.
Here's the message that stressed-out parents are craving to hear: It's okay to play!
In fact, it's more than just okay-- it's better than drilling academics. After decades of research, scientists and child development experts have come to a clear conclusion: Play is the best way for our children to learn.
Children who are prematurely pushed into regimented academic instruction display less creativity and enthusiasm for learning than their peers
Children who memorize isolated facts early in life show no better long-term retention than their peers.
Children who learn through play also develop social and emotional skills, which are critical for long-term success.
Somewhere along the line, we've gotten off track by stressing academic products and programs to our preschoolers. Thankfully, Dr. Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Dr. Roberta Michnick Golinkoff have a simple remedy for our children that is based on overwhelming scientific evidence from their own studies and the collective research results of child development experts.
Einstein Never Used Flash Cards goes beyond debunking the myths spread by the accelerated-learning industry. Parents and educators will find a practical guide to introducing complex concepts through smart, simple, and loving play.
For every key area of a child's development (speech, reading, math, social skills, self-awareness, and intelligence), you'll understand how a child's mind actually learns. Then you'll discover exercises (40 in all) that will showcase emerging skills and leave your child smiling today-- and prepared for tomorrow.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. 269-286) and index.
Synopsis
Play Is BackReassuring to parents and educators, Einstein Never Used Flash Cards shows why-- and how-- to step away from the cult of achievement and toward a more nurturing home life full of imaginative play and love of learning.
"An elegant summary of what mind and brain science can tell us about child development and learning. The reasonable and reassuring implications the authors draw from this research provide a much-needed corrective to the hype and distortions all too prevalent in the popular media. Finally, the truth!"--John T. Bruer, Ph.D., president of the James S. McDonnell Foundation and author of The Myth of the First Three Years
"Parents eager to know what to do-- and even more important, what not to do-- to help their children discover and take advantage of their hidden talents will find this well-written book a treasure trove of information and advice. A trustworthy parenting resource from two highly respected scholars!"--Linda Acredolo, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and author of Baby Signs and Baby Minds
"This book makes it easy to be a good parent! It explains how, by nurturing your child's love for learning through play, you will foster initiative, creativity, curiosity, empathy, and self-esteem-- in sum, a happy child. Isn't that what we all want? Indeed, I gained many new insights into how my 4- and 2-year-old daughters are engaged in learning through their own magical play."--Janet Rice Elman, executive director of the Association of Children's Museums in Washington, D.C.
"Although parents know that the early years are learning years, just what that means has been confusing-- until now. Einstein Never Used Flash Cards makes practical sense of the vast number of technical studies and hyperbole of advertising claims. It explains in clear, compelling, and scientific terms how learning really takes place. This book is a must-read for parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, pediatricians, and policy makers-- in other words, all those who care about and for the next generation of children."--Ellen Galinsky, president and cofounder of the Families and Work Institute in New York City
Synopsis
The scientific case for parents to put down the flashcards and follow their instinct
Parents are constantly overwhelmed with advice on how to raise smarter babies. All too often, fear is used to promote a particular cause (such as the vaccine-autism scare) or to market worthless products (such as Baby Einstein” videos) that promise to make a child smarter or speed up development.
Now Stephen Camarata proves that educational fads and public health scares arent just stressfulthey prevent parents from doing the things that would actually protect their child and promote learning and healthy brain development.
Camarata draws on research, case studies, and experiences with his own patients to argue for a return to instinct-driven parenting. Developmental milestones are misleading, and earlier is not necessarily better. He shows why the best things parents can do are almost always low-cost, routine activities such as playing peek-a-boo”, reading books aloud, and simply paying attention to their child and responding naturally. This is the true magic” that ultimately leads to intelligent, confident, curious adults.
This book will empower parents to recognize irrational fears and incredible claims that increase worry, steal their cash, and diminish their enjoyment of parenting.
Synopsis
A leading child psychiatrist shows why its best for parents to put down the flashcards and follow their instincts.
Parents are constantly exposed to dubious claims and fads that create needless anxiety and stress, from the vaccine-autism scare to worthless products such as Baby Einstein” videos. Worse, theyre often discouraged from doing things that have been proven to protect children, promote learning, and wire young brains for healthy development.
Child development expert Stephen Camarata draws on research, case studies, and his own experiences to argue for a return to instinct-driven parenting. He shows why developmental milestones are misleading and the best things you can do to make sure your kid grows up functional are almost always simple activities such as playing peek-a-boo,” reading aloud, and talking to them. This is the true magic” that turns babies into intelligent, confident, curious adults.
Camarata debunks a range of parenting myths and empowers parents to recognize irrational fears and incredible claims that increase worry, steal their cash, and generally diminish their enjoyment of the parenting process.
About the Author
Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., is a member of the psychology department at Temple University, where she directs the Infant Language Laboratory and participated in one of the nation's largest studies of the effects of child care. The mother of three sons, she also composes and performs children's music.
Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, Ph.D., is the H. Rodney Sharp Professor in the School of Education at the University of Delaware, where she holds a joint appointment with the departments of linguistics and psychology and directs the Infant Language Project. She has also been a recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship and is the mother of a son and a daughter.
Table of Contents
The plight of the modern parent -- Brainchild -- Baby, I've got your number! --