Reviews for Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mindfrom Birth to Age 3

The average rating for Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mindfrom Birth to Age 3 based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-05-11 00:00:00 Gunnar Nelson Due to the high ratings on Amazon, I think I wanted to not like this book. Well, four stars proves I lost that battle. I usually don't understand anything that is "science backed" but somehow Stamm explains the science of the brain so clearly I didn't want to skim over any of it. I read the first 100 pages like they didn't really matter (in about 30 minutes). But once I returned to the book (the very next day) I decided to start at page 1 and actually read through the whole thing. I'm really glad I did. Though there isn't one big idea or take away that will drastically change my parenting, I appreciated the simple reassurance that things I've already been doing are backed by loads of research. I also think the book helps motivate and encourage readers to look for even more ways to improve their caregiving. This is done in a gentle, guilt free sort of way. Stamm's theory is simple to follow. A, B, C. Attention, Bonding, Communication. She emphasizes the idea that a caregiver is baby's first and best toy. Face games, fill and spill, hide and find, sort and match, etc; activities are essential to learning and developing attention span and curiosity. All these are led by a parent, not gimmicky-flashing toys. But she also emphasizes the need for play tim to be FUN and unstructured. Then there is downtime. Don't forget kids need to just take some time to watch the grass grow as birds chirp near by. I love (and fully agree with) her emphasis on communication. Time and time again IQ is connected directly to vocabulary. Kids who start school with 10,000 words excel much quicker than those who enter with 5,000. Simply talking to a child, before they can even talk back, has a far reaching impact. Stamm also uses the section on communication to focus on music and reading. However, I find it interesting that music and reading come up in all of the ABCs. They are both such great ways to build and give attention, bond, and communicate with baby. I love love love reading time with my little one and he always calms right down when we start a game of itsy bitsy spider (or giggles the moment wheels on the bus begins). Stamm is heavily against TV, which I appreciate. She doesn't think it needs to be removed completely, she just explains why it isn't good for a young brain to have too much of it (or too much of anything for that matter). She talks about looking for shows that follow a Mr Rogers pattern. One thing I didn't like was all the product placement. Besides, most the books she suggests are out of print by now and hard to find. I wish she'd treated books with the same care she did TV, in regards to explaining what to look for (ie Mr Rogers format). I would recommend this book to other moms, just as a casual read. I don't really recommend any mom-help books as a "baby bible." I honestly see myself checking it out again as Reid gets older, so I can look through the activities for 18mos olds in each chapter. Stamm shares lots of creative ways you can build babies attention and work on developmental milestones/skills. I kind of wish she would publish a little pamphlet with her age appropriate ABC (attention, bonding, communicating) activities. She really does have some simple but clever ideas.

Review # 2 was written on 2009-01-13 00:00:00 Wolfgang Gerber This book I picked up soon after I gave birth to my daughter. It has since become my 'parenting bible'. It gave me such an appreciation for the enormity and extreme inherent intelligence baby earthlings are born with. The book provides practical examples of how to's, gives first hand experiences of raising physically and mentally challenged children and in turn outlines how these findings are as applicable to children blessed with no such disabilities. A fascinating read that will heighten your respect for your miracle children.