Disponible:*
Estado | Reservas de ítem | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Búsqueda… Science | Book | 155.413 B264Y, 1998 | 1 | Stacks | Búsqueda… Desconocido | Búsqueda… No disponible |
Búsqueda… Science | Book | BF432 .C48 B37 1998 | 1 | Stacks | Búsqueda… Desconocido | Búsqueda… No disponible |
Agrupado con estos títulos
En pedido
Resumen
Resumen
Drawing on insights from recent breakthroughs in neuroscience and psychological research, this book offers a fundamentally new understanding of how children learn language, establish emotional ties, and embrace moral values. Line drawings.
Reseñas (3)
Reseña de Publisher's Weekly
This husband-and-wife team, she a pediatric neurologist, he a veteran author (Global Reach, etc.), jumps into the debate over the relative importance of genetics vs. environment in shaping human personality. Explaining recent work in language acquisition and emotional development (including empathy and morality), they provide an accessible summary of our current state of knowledge of brain development and chemistry while placing significantly greater emphasis on the role played by environmental factors. The Barnets offer ample evidence suggesting that the quality and quantity of stimulation experienced by children, especially in the first three years of life, directly influences the structure of a child's brain, creating neural networks that would otherwise not be present. They also summarize a wealth of studies indicating that Head Start and other early-intervention programs have had a huge impact on the long-term well-being of children. Although the book is in part being marketed as a guide to parenting, beyond the seemingly obvious (talk and read to children, tell them you love them, provide lots of hugs), there is little that will be of use in assisting parents to shape a daily routine. Surprisingly, for instance, no mention is made of recent research demonstrating the importance of music in cognitive development. Nonetheless, the Barnets present a compelling overview of an expanding field. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
An expert in early brain development offers a timely reminder of the importance of human relationships in shaping the minds of the very young. Ann Barnet, a Washington, D.C., pediatric neurologist and founder of the Family Place, a community center for disadvantaged families, is aided by her writer husband (author of Global Dreams, 1994, and other political and socioeconomic analyses) in this review of what research in neurobiology and psychology reveals about the influences of genetics and environment on the intellectual and emotional development of children. They start by looking at the rapidly developing brain itself and how language is acquired by the young. Even children in a barely adequate environment learn to talk, they report reassuringly, but acquiring language proficiency and the level of literacy required for a more than poverty-level job is quite another matter. Next they turn to children's emotional growth and how it depends on interaction between inborn tendencies and life experiences. They examine the research on how empathy develops, the role it plays in moral judgment, and the multiple causes of aggressive behavior. They conclude that if violent crime is to be reduced in this country, early intervention in the lives of at-risk children is essential, but must be accompanied by broad improvements in the social and economic fabricjobs, education, living conditions. Of special interest to working parents is the authors examination of the effects of outside child care on children's development. High-quality day care, they report, can enhance children's development, but unfortunately, many facilities in this country, especially those for the youngest children, are of outstandingly poor quality. Having established the importance of nurturing relationships in the cognitive and emotional development of children, they urge public subsidy of paid parental leave and high-quality out-of-home child care. A sobering look at the power of early influences to affect the development of a healthy mindand ultimately a healthy society.
Reseña de Booklist
The Barnets offer a well-documented, thoughtful work on a subject that badly needs it. Pediatric neurologist Ann founded and has worked closely with Family Place, a community center for parents and children in a low-income metropolitan area. Drawing on that experience, she and her author husband graphically illustrate the need children in their early years have for loving care and nurturing. One of their major themes is the inseparability of intellectual and emotional development, and the empathy between caregiver and child, they say, is the working language of this vital relationship. They point out where their hypotheses differ from those of other investigators and where more scientific information is needed before meaningful practical decisions can be made. Since the U.S. has the most reported violence in any of the developed nations, they feel U.S. children must be taught resiliency above all else. Their book should be read by parents-to-be as well as other investigators in the field of child development. --William Beatty