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What's Going on in There? : How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life

Lise Eliot · 3 HN comments
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Amazon Summary
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 shapebrain 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.
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Hacker News Stories and Comments

All the comments and stories posted to Hacker News that reference this book.
This book is more general, describing brain development, but there is a lot describing nerve/synapse development including myelination.

I give it to most of my new parent friends as a gift.

https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-There-Brain-Develop/dp/05...

Recommending books seems to be not in fashion. I read some during the pregnancy of my wife. They were helpful. The most helpful one that I am using right now is unfortunately in German. It is really good, but with no translation (Largo, Babyjahre). The rest is in English.

1. What to expect When You're Expecting

http://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-When-Youre-Expecting/dp/07...

It is the classic on the subject and helped when there were some questions. Nutrition is really important. It becomes especially important after the birth.

2. What's Going on in There?

A book about the brain development of the child. It helped me to understand things better.

http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-There-Brain-Develop/dp/055...

3. Beyond the sling.

This book is about parenting in general. It helps you broaden your mind. I would not recommend all of it. But carrying your child around helps in a lot of ways.

http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sling-Real-Life-Confident-Attac...

Be the parent you want to be. A lot of people are going to talk about what the best way to raise a kid is, but you are going to know your kid better than all of them, so do what is right for your family.

Dote on your wife. Give her a foot rub every night.

The burden of a child kind of weighs heavy at times - "holy crap I could serious fuck this kid's head up!" - but remember that most people grow up to be okay regardless of their parents. As long as you're a good and loving person so will your child be.

If you're like me, jokes about kids are going to become seriously unfunny for a few years. If you watch cop shows and dramas you'll notice a lot of kids dying or being threatened and where you might not have had those heartstrings to be tugged in the past, when they first get installed they are fiercely powerful.

My favorite book about childhood development is http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-There-Brain-Develop/dp/055... "What's Going On In There" which was written by a neurobiologist because she started thinking about what was happening when she was pregnant. I consider it the Hacker's Guide to your Kid's Brain.

My oldest is 4 now, he's about to start junior kindergarten. Seeing him (and my youngest who is 6 months) develop is fascinating and rewarding. Don't give up on your goals and dreams but remember that there's always going to be work waiting for you. Your kids are only kids for a while.

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