Brain Rules for Baby
by John Medina · first published 2010
81% recommend19% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Science-backed guide to the early years, from pregnancy to about age 5. Covers emotional coaching, screen time, and talking to toddlers, plus keeping your partnership strong. Suits new and expecting parents.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
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Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina, because it made me a better father; Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, because it taught me of the importance of something that I’d occasionally dismiss as a nuisance; Pain Free and Pain…
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗John Medina in Brain Rules for Baby[0] suggests I think, a practical framework for kids screen time that is informed by research. It boils down to minimize screen time where the screen is stepping in as the babysitter. Instead, try to make…
on “Show HN: Made this with my daughter to help kids ages 2 to 4 learn logic” ↗There is a very good book, recently shared here on HN: Brain Rules for Baby, https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Rules-Baby-Raise-Smart/dp/09797... I recommend it. In short, the best things to develop toddler's intelligence are talking to them a lot, simple toys (boxes, plain blocks),…
on “Ask HN: How to stimulate a toddler's brain/STEM?” ↗Congratulations! Some of my favorites are: * Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina * Brain-Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke
on “Ask HN: Best Resources and Books for a Soon-to-Be-Dad?” ↗The best resource I stumbled upon that I now recommend to everyone is Brain Rules for Baby. It's an evidence-based guide from the prenatal period through basically age 5. And it has key tips for parents, reminding you that maintaining your own relationship as partners will be surprisingly challenging.…
on “Ask HN: How did you prepare for being a first-time parent?” ↗…don't talk about all of this to those who are not yet parents. It's a big, secret, suffering club. Hopefully it'll all be worth it for you because you already bought membership of the club! P.S. Read Brain Rules For Baby. I bought it based on a recommendation on HN a few years ago. It explains the early years using science. I recommend it to everyone.
on “Ask HN: First-time dad-to-be. What do you wish you'd known back then?” ↗…There is quite a lot of research showing that very young children who are taught how to recognize, name, and discuss their emotions achieve more in education and career than those who are not. The book "Brain Rules for Baby" summarizes much of this research.
on “Emotional Intelligence is Overrated” ↗When new parents ask my advice, “Brain Rules for Baby” is the one and only book I recommend. Everyone has told me later they loved it.
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in the past decade?” ↗…behavior in adolescence and adulthood: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/... https://science.sciencemag.org/content/295/5564/2468.full Deferred imitation is a powerful thing. "Brain Rules for Baby" is a great resource for new parents that covers this topic pretty comprehensively.
on “Screens Are Bad for Young Brains” ↗Brain Rules For Baby is very good. It was recommended here a while ago. Wish I'd read it before having children. https://amzn.eu/6oAgLWv
on “Book Review: Raise a Genius (2017)” ↗…ideas on discipline. I think it introduced idea of using emotions to communicate with toddlers instead of logic. I still find myself using logical arguments with my 2.5 years old, hard habit to break. * Brain Rules for Baby - Really enjoyed it. All suggestions in it seems to be backed by research. The main idea in this book is that one should provide their kids a happy, relaxed home. Stress and anxiety at young age can stun…
on “Ask HN: Is There a Manual for Babies?” ↗> P.S. Read Brain Rules For Baby. I bought it based on a recommendation on HN a few years ago. It explains the early years using science. I recommend it to everyone. Just ordered. Thanks for the suggestion!
on “Ask HN: First-time dad-to-be. What do you wish you'd known back then?” ↗Sitting with my newborn sleeping on my chest currently. I’ve really enjoyed Brain Rules for Baby and currently reading Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child. Both good, feel like the latter is going to be a pivotal part of our parenting. My wife really enjoyed The Book You Wish Your Parents Had…
on “Ask HN: Best books read in 2022” ↗…not judging (really) because every family has different circumstances and every person is different, I just know that I jumped into this trap a few times and you are reminding me of myself back then. Brain Rules for Baby is an excellent way to learn how your child works, or at least I found to be so. Anyway, you're nearly at Brio and then Lego and it gets better and better...
on “My toddler still loves planes, so I upgraded her radar” ↗Loved Brain rules, and Brain Rules for baby is also wonderful :)
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗