Start Smart: Building Brain Power in the Early Years by Pam Schiller

by Cheryl Kirks Neil

Did you know that emotions boost our memory? Or that small muscle exercises help the brain develop? Early experiences contribute to the future capacity of the brain. Start Smart offers simple, straightforward ways to boost brain power with active exploration, repetition, sensory exploration, meaningful context, trial and error, and direct experience. All the activities are accompanied by explanations of how and why they help the brain develop. Easy and fun, Start Smart will start young children ages three to six on their way to a future rich with learning.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To start smart, you must first have a plaid hat. Essential.

Not really. But, there is need-to-know information in here. I Read through this for independent study of little peoples. Basically, there are windows of opportunity for certain developmental periods, and if you miss them, you're shit for luck or at least just average until the next window comes along. The optimal window for emotional intelligence? 0-24 months. Music? 0-36 months. Thinking skills? 0-48 months. Sure, there are "next best opportunities" but they range from the age of two until ten. And further "re-wiring" is possible, as the book states, but reading this book is pretty scary when you think of how many people view their children as something they just have to take with them everywhere, like their purse or cell phone. An extra clunky, noisy appendage. Going to Wal-Mart is even more terrifying now after reading this book.

Someone told me recently that my husband's teaching position at a university was more important than working with little people. Of course, I could understand how it might look that way, but I was quick to let her know that I thought her statement false. But I didn't tell her to shut her pie hole or anything. I was nice.

But really, think on this: "Children are biologically prepared to learn. The brain of a three-year-old is two-and-a-half times more active than that of an adult. Children's brains have more synapses and the density of synapses remains high throughout the first ten years of life." Better take care what clickety clacks through those synapses.

And this is why- if you mess with a child, fuck them up when they are little and developing everything they are and will become, they will grow crooked, messed up. Some, many, never recover. Happy thought, eh?

This last quote from the book grabbed at me and I had to pry its fingers away from my brain with lots and lots of Brubeck and the thought that their definition of concert level performers is different than mine.

"There is no concert-level performer in recorded history who began training after the age of ten."


Update: I just finished attending and ECE conference (that's Early Childhood Education) and this closing window theory was said to be grossly overstated...whew! So, teachers, read this book and then take a refreshing breath of air from the still-open cognitive development window....things are not as dire as they seem. In fact, play and experience still trumps cramming information down little humans' throats! Yay!

[رائد الغامدي · Rating 3 out of 5]

تواجهني مشكلة دائمة مع الكتب المترجمة في تفكك ترابط الأفكار، وهذا الكتاب من ضمن هذا النوع؛ برأيي المتواضع أن تلك مشكلة يتحمل نصيباً منها المُعرب (ناقل الكتاب إلى اللغة العربية)، فالمُعرب قد يكون حرفي النقل، وهذا ما يجهل الأفكار مفككة، على خلاف المُعرب الذي يقرأ مجمل فقرة متكاملة ويستوعبها ومن ثم ينقلها بأفكار مترابطة.
قرأت لمعربين ممتازين، وذلك في كتاب فيزياء المستقبل: العلم يشكل مصير البشرية عام 2100، و تمتع بالاسترخاء وخذ الأمور بالروية
تُحسن دُور النشر النشطة في الترجمة من لغات أخرى مثل جرير والعبيكان في الاستعانة بأمثال هؤلاء المعربين، فهم مكسب في إثراء النقل إلى القارئ العربي قبل أن يكونوا مكسباً لدار النشر.

[Dan Becker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book works very well on two levels. First, it is very approachable for parents and educators, with practical suggestions and clear writing. It is also based on sound, peer-reviewed science with references for those who want to get into the background. So this is a good book both for people who want to apply the information, as well as those wanting to do more detailed research in the area and looking for a starting point.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

really easy to follow!