Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children
by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
I read this book the year Buddy was born. At the time I was working for an education technology company and had developed a keen interest in how people learn. Since my products were used by teachers in schools to individualize instruction, I started to wonder how children learn. This book opened up my mind - created a new mindset about my role as a parent. I credit this book for putting me on a path of inquiry and discovering tools that have helped me continually strive to be the parent I want to be, with confidence.
Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
by John Medina
I wished I had
picked this up while I was pregnant with my first child because it includes tips on keeping a healthy marriage once kids arrive. I read this book when Buddy was 3 and many of the tips have been useful in our family - not just with our children but with my husband and other adults. Empathy first is a wonderful reflex to have and it works.
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
This book breaks the science down into layman's terms. I found the concepts easy to grasp even though I'm not a scientist. It also provides useful examples in comic format (which I enjoy) along with
specific strategies. I've been talking about the brain with Buddy since he was about 3.5. He started to get it around the age of 4.5. I'm now talking about the brain with Little Guy and he just turned 3.5.
Welcome to Your Child's Brain: From in Utero to Uni
by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wong
This book covers some of the same concepts as The Whole-Brain Child but the writing is more technical. I like this book because it reminds me to get to know my child and
parent to the child. It's a reminder that what works with Buddy may or may not work with Little Guy. I have definitely seen that to be true in our family. So, the same principle or strategy to instill a principle requires very different tactics depending on the child.
Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs
Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs
by Ellen Galinsky
I loved this book. It's a little long
but the 7 skills align well with skills highlighted in other books I've read. Each chapter ends with suggested activities to help my children develop these essential life skills.
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and Hidden Power of Character
by Paul Tough
This book provides case
studies of educators making a difference with at-risk children through
non-cognitive skills development. While it's unclear to me how successful the character education programs are in the various schools cited, I do think it's important to become more aware of life's teachable moments when we can help our children call out and further develop positive traits they already possess.
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & How to Listen So Kids Will Talk and
Siblings Without Rivalry
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
These books helped hubby and I connect on parenting. While we were always
on the same page from a vision perspective, we were a little bit off when it came to specific strategies and tactics. These two books gave us a bridge. We now know
we have the same goals and allow the other person to
"implement" a technique his or her way. We keep in mind that each
child is an individual and so is each parent. As such, each parent-child
relationship is unique.
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotion Life of Boys
by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Having two boys, I sometimes wonder whether I am ill-equipped to really understand them and nurture them even with the best intentions. Some of the examples in the books, especially during the adolescent years, are eye-opening for me. I had no idea how difficult those years can be for boys.
How to Raise An Adult
by Julie Lythcott-Haims
This book was recommended by an elementary school principal. The author provides insightful case studies and examples shedding light on unintended consequences of overparenting, the constant hovering and helping. I particularly like the "Teach Life Skills" list, which reminded me of how much I had learned through the everyday house chores I did at a young age because my family needed me to. I also really liked simple 4-steps mantra for building life skills in children: "first we do it for you, then we do it with you, then we watch you do it, then you do it completely independently."
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotion Life of Boys
by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Having two boys, I sometimes wonder whether I am ill-equipped to really understand them and nurture them even with the best intentions. Some of the examples in the books, especially during the adolescent years, are eye-opening for me. I had no idea how difficult those years can be for boys.
How to Raise An Adult
by Julie Lythcott-Haims
This book was recommended by an elementary school principal. The author provides insightful case studies and examples shedding light on unintended consequences of overparenting, the constant hovering and helping. I particularly like the "Teach Life Skills" list, which reminded me of how much I had learned through the everyday house chores I did at a young age because my family needed me to. I also really liked simple 4-steps mantra for building life skills in children: "first we do it for you, then we do it with you, then we watch you do it, then you do it completely independently."
