The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning ReviewI'm going to start by disagreeing with a reviewer below. Dr. Bruer is not suggesting that we ignore our kids! Rather, his valuable book makes the simple point that neuroscience does not "prove" that the experiences of the first three years profoundly and irreversibly influence the remainder of life. It is true, Dr. Bruer points out, that abnormal and/or abusive environments do indeed damage kids. However, provided the child experiences normal care (a standard which varies greatly worldwide), he should develop normally. According to Dr. Bruer, There is no good nueroscientific evidence that "enriched" environments lead to better brain development.

Dr. Bruer also points out that there may be good reason to believe that the brain remains plastic (changeable) throughout life. That's good news for those who came from less advantaged environments! It's also a relief for parents who for whatever reason could not give their children the good start they would have liked to give.

This book is important to read for two reasons: first, it gives a good example of how science can be misinterpreted or even "created" in order to further a pre-set goal. Second, it sheds some light on a potentially dangerous effort to introduce super-early education programs for all children, disadvantaged or not.

But I am holding back a star because Dr. Bruer fails to qualify his arguments with an important point. Even if the first three years do not of themselves determine the course of life, these are the years when habits are formed and the parent-child relationship is established. In other words, if we handle kids well and spend lots of time with them in years 1-3, we are much more apt to continue to do so in years 4-6, 7-9 etc. The kids will also have the good habit of enjoying their family life, and will, I believe, be much more open to parental influence. For this reason, parents need to take the day-care vs. in home-care decision much more seriously than Dr. Bruer implies.

With that caution, I would recommend this book to parents, teachers and anyone interested in public policy.The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning Overview

Want to learn more information about The Myth of the First Three Years: A New Understanding of Early Brain Development and Lifelong Learning?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now