Brain Rules for Baby

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

By: John Medina

Narrated by: John Medina

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

What’s the single most important thing you can do during pregnancy? What does watching TV do to a child’s brain? What’s the best way to handle temper tantrums? Scientists know.

In his New York Times best seller Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina told us how our brains really work—and why we ought to redesign our workplaces and schools. Now, in Brain Rules for Baby, he shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to 5. This book is destined to revolutionize parenting. Just one of the surprises: The best way to get your children into the college of their choice? Teach them impulse control.

Brain Rules for Baby bridges the gap between what scientists know and what parents practice. Through fascinating and funny stories, Medina, a developmental molecular biologist and dad, unravels how a child’s brain develops--and what you can do to optimize it.You will view your children—and how to raise them—in a whole new light.

You’ll learn:

• Where nature ends and nurture begins
• Why men should do more household choresWhat you do when emotions run hot affects how your child turns out
• TV is harmful for children under 2
• Your child’s ability to relate to others predicts her future math performance
• Smart and happy are inseparable
• Pursuing your child’s intellectual success at the expense of his happiness achieves neither
• Praising effort is better than praising intelligence
• The best predictor of academic performance is not IQ. It’s self control
• What you do right now—before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and through the first five years—will affect your children for the rest of their lives.

Brain Rules for Baby is an indispensable guide.

©2010 John Medina (P)2010 Pear Press

Fantastic parenting advice everyone needs to know

Author Medina does a wonderful job at presenting parenting "must do's" which everyone should know. He provides information which will help you to raise an intelligent, well adjusted and happy baby and child. What I like most about this book is that everything he presented was backed by hard data and he sites the published scientific literature throughout his book.

Myths and Truths about Baby

Using scientific research and facts, author explains the truth about baby brain development and our ability to influence it. While neither this book or anything will guarantee perfect parenting, it will provide some rules and guideline to give you the best statistical chance to raise a happy, healthy, and moral baby.

I could have finished this audio book in a day

This audio was very helpful in understanding how children develop. I’m starting parenting a little late in the game and I’ve seen a lot of bad and inconsistent parenting, which is why I wanted to read this book. I’m fully aware that being a mother means that I’m going to have to change my behaviors, be more empathetic and encourage my daughter to be the best she can be, and I feel better prepare to do that now.

Very interesting

Overall, I found this book to be very interesting and I will definitely be using the advice and suggestions that were provided. Some very good tips!

Great evidence-based advice

What did you like best about this story?

This is a great book! As a first-time parent of an adopted toddler, I had little lead-up time to prepare, and this book helped sort through the mixed messages with which various forms of media bombard the general public. Without the time to sift through the peer reviewed research myself, it was hard to separate those pieces of advice that are based in strong evidence, from those asserted by very vocal people who have never bothered to research the questions they answer. John Medina did the work -- I won't say that he's smart, but I will say that he worked very hard. I thank him for that priceless advice (and I'm pretty sure he's smart, too).

What does John Medina bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Entertainment value.

Brain Rules for Baby - Highly Recommended

This is the first baby book I purchased and completed. As an educator some of this information was already very clear and just confirmed what I already knew. I really enjoyed this book for its scientific research and clarification of common misconceptions. I know as a first time mother having heaps of friends that already have children will want to tell me how to raise my future baby and this book gave me the reassurance I needed for the concepts , rules, and items I feel strongly about starting this wild journey.

The only book you need for parenting

What made the experience of listening to Brain Rules for Baby the most enjoyable?

The best thing about this book is that it is based on research, not on opinions. I have listened to this audiobook at least 20 times.

Baby brain development backed by science

What made the experience of listening to Brain Rules for Baby the most enjoyable?

Easy to follow and understand. It was also enjoyable.

What did you like best about this story?

Great anecdotes.

What does John Medina bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Brings life to the humorous portions of the book.

A Must Read for Parents-To-Be, No-Kidding

"Brain Rules for Baby" was a delightful surprise. This author teaches the reader about brain development in the womb and throughout the first five years of life. He is able to relay this information simply, concisely and with well documented research. He also teaches about how brain development is affected by parenting styles and presents simple rules to help parents understand what their babies need in order to develop optimally; both happily and healthily. Dr. Medina documents his research sources throughout this well-developed thorough study while he also manages to present his suggestions with humility and personality. I highly recommend this book for parents-to-be, current parents of little children, as well as to teachers, social workers and therapists. It is beautifully accessible and simply written. My only caution is that the first chapter focuses on brain development in the womb which I did find a bit tedious. I ended up skipping over parts of the first chapter and was so glad that I stayed with it because I learned so much. In fact, I ended up buying the kindle version also so that I can refer to the rules and reasons for his suggestions.

THE Rule Book of baby brains

This book is based on research and facts. It also makes absolute sense regardless. It opened my eyes and helped me understand the nature of children. It has given me endless patience by helping me understand the reasons children do what they do. My relationship with my partner has also improved a lot. I love this book and try to base my parenting style as much as I can on the rules laid out in the book. Our daughter is just over two and is happy, well behaved, loving, etc etc. I've learned from this book that the word 'no' works best when it's not used! Our daughter is a delight and we are sooo looking forward to meeting our next baby due next year.