NurtureShock: 8 key ideas
The core ideas of NurtureShock, each in under a minute, written in our own words. Want the full depth? Get the book.
- IDEA 1 OF 8
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.
- IDEA 2 OF 8
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.
- IDEA 3 OF 8
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.
- IDEA 4 OF 8
Silence about race does not help
The authors describe research showing that children notice race early.
Avoiding the topic, they report, does not stop children forming biases. In the authors' account, young children form ideas about groups from what they see, even when no one speaks of it.
- IDEA 5 OF 8
Children lie for reasons
The authors describe studies showing that children learn to lie early and that punishment can make them lie more.
In the authors' account, harsh punishment can teach children to hide the truth better, not to tell it more often.
- IDEA 6 OF 8
Early tests mislead
The authors argue that testing very young children for giftedness is unreliable.
Abilities change over time. In the authors' account, a child's score at four or five can look very different by seven or eight.
- IDEA 7 OF 8
Siblings shape each other
The authors discuss research on how siblings' relationships affect social skills.
In the authors' account, how brothers and sisters treat each other can teach lessons in sharing, conflict and getting along. These early patterns can shape later friendships.
- IDEA 8 OF 8
Language grows through interaction
The authors report that babies learn language best through responsive interaction, not just hearing words.
In the authors' account, a baby who gets warm replies to their sounds learns words faster than one who only hears recorded speech.
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