Advice Goddess Radio, LIVE Tonight, 7-8pm PT -- Dr. Gabrielle Principe: Parenting Without Paranoia And How Kids Actually Learn
Amy Alkon's Advice Goddess Radio: "Nerd Your Way To A Better Life!" with the best brains in science.
***("Best Of" replay this week, because I am completing the final polish on my upcoming book, which I turn in to the publisher Monday morning. New LIVE show Jan. 19 and onward!)
Psychology professor Dr. Gabrielle Principe notes that the panic-stricken parental race to raise tiny geniuses is actually bad parenting -- leading to overcontrolled childhoods that have negative effects on kids' development.
This way of raising children is marketing-driven, not science-driven (though marketers typically claim their toys and learning tools are based in science).
Take Baby Einstein videos. In 2007, UCLA's Department of Health Services chairman Frederick Zimmerman and his colleagues found that kids watching these had a 17 percent decrease in vocabulary acquisition for each hour they spent watching them per day.
Through looking at solid science on the human brain, Dr. Principe has figured out ways for parents to naturalize childhood again, so a child's environment gels with how the brain was designed to grow.
Her clearly written and dryly witty book: "Your Brain on Childhood: The Unexpected Side Effects of Classrooms, Ballparks, Family Rooms, and the Minivan."
Join us tonight as she busts countless myths about how to raise children and lays out simple, clear advice for how kids can thrive.
Listen at this link from 7-8 pm Pacific, 10-11 pm Eastern, or download the podcast afterward:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon/2014/01/13/dr-gabrielle-principe-parenting-without-paranoia-and-how-kids-actually-learn
Don't miss last week's show with social neuroscientist Dr. Matthew Lieberman. His new book is Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect
For example, there's a finding by his wife and research partner, Naomi Eisenberger and her colleagues that taking acetaminophen (think Tylenol) actually diminished the pain of being socially excluded. Lieberman explains, "Our sensitivity to social rejection is so central to our well-being that our brains" react to social wounds (and ways to heal from them) much like they do physical ones.
An important underlying point in his book is that self-esteem is not just "from within." It's deeply affected by whether we're liked or esteemed -- or bullied -- by others (which research finds even affects our IQ).
We discussed many such interesting and unexpected findings on tonight's show, and discussed ways we can each capitalize on what Lieberman has learned from the research.
Listen at this link or download the podcast:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon/2014/01/06/dr-matthew-lieberman-how-our-social-selves-drive-life-satisfaction-self-esteem
Psychology professor Dr. Gabrielle Principe notes that the panic-stricken parental race to raise tiny geniuses is actually bad parenting -- leading to overcontrolled childhoods that have negative effects on kids' development.
_______________________________
I simply cannot understand why "ambitious" parents don't listen to those pediatricians who tell them not to let kids under two watch ANY screens - and what makes parents think that screen time is really any good for older preschoolers? You wouldn't let a kid that age have more than one sugary snack a week, right? (I hope not, anyway.)
Besides, if there's any lesson a 3-year-old desperately needs to learn, if only for the sake of healthy brain development, it's how to self-entertain when same-age playmates are just not available, and not expect some adult or video game to do the job.
I also don't understand those parents who wail that they need an electronic babysitter on a daily basis so they can take a shower in peace or do some dishes in a hurry. If the kid is under three, just turn the playpen upside down and put some heavy folded blankets on top so the kid can't get out - and don't take more than 20 minutes in the shower. If the kid is OVER three, start doing chores together every now and then so the kid will be more likely to think of it as a game - and will slowly pick up some skills for later. (Also, if you can't afford a sitter more than once a month, try exchanging services with other parents or neighbors.) If the kid is over four, it seems to me that kids that age should be able to look at picture books or play alone for 20 minutes without wrecking the house.
Again, what's the problem?
lenona at January 13, 2014 7:06 AM
Leave a comment