Ashley Merryman

NurtureShock

1. IDEA 1

   Common parenting beliefs can be wrong

   Bronson and Merryman, science journalists, examine research suggesting that many popular beliefs about raising children are mistaken. They show how scientific findings often surprise parents. Their point is that careful studies can overturn ideas that sound sensible.

2. IDEA 2

   Praise can backfire

   The authors describe research by Carol Dweck showing that praising children for being smart can make them avoid challenges. Praising effort, in these studies, encouraged persistence. In the authors' account, children who hear mostly about their intelligence may fear failure.

3. IDEA 3

   Children lose sleep

   The authors report research linking shorter sleep in children to problems with learning and mood. Small losses add up. In the authors' account, a small loss of sleep each night can affect a child's attention and moods more than parents might expect.

All 8 ideas from NurtureShock →