New Thinking about Children

While reading Nurture Shock:New Thinking about Children, I found several chapters relevant to children and education. In parallel to another book I have been reading (The Hurried Child), these authors give evidence that more and earlier is not always better. This book contains many insightful thoughts (backed up by research) on child development and how these findings sometimes go against what is popular or mainstream thinking. Well, worth the read.

Several chapters that stood out to me:
1. “Can Self-Control Be Taught?” describes Tools of the Mind program for pre-K and kindergarden students. I have used some of the ideas in teaching my young children at home. I particularly like the suggestions for teaching handwriting. Students are asked to mark which letters are best on the other students papers. Students learn what quality work looks like, distinguishing well-formed letters with the sloppy letters. I encourage my daughter to put stickers next to her best letters during our handwriting practice.

Another idea for working with young kids is to have children write out their play plan and then to stay on task with it. Children learn to focus and they have a say in how they will spend their time.

2. “Why Hannah Talks and Alyssa Doesn't?” In this chapter, the authors discuss the complex process of language acquisition. One of the most determining factors of how quickly children learn to talk is parental attentiveness. This makes sense with my own children. My first child learned to talk much earlier than my other children have, I think, in part, because she had my full attention. But even now, I can see how applying this chapter to my 15 month baby has helped her in learning to speak. It is a very simple technique – repeat words for whatever your child is looking at or touching – their language acquisition is based on their interst, not on parents' interests. When children do attempt to speak, acknowledge and encourage it. These two simple steps go a long way in encouraging a child to speak, much farther than exposing them to electronic learning toys.

This book also contains information on topics ranging from children lying to rebelliousness and risk taking among teens, to teaching children to get along well with each other. There are chapters on the caveats of the self-esteem movement and on the myth of the supertrait.

http://www.nurtureshock.com/

Bronson, PO and Ashley Merryman.  Nurture Shock: New Thinking about Children.  Hatchette Book Group: New York, 2009.