Bright From the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind fromBirth to Age 3

Science that is Accessible
I applaud Jill Stamm for writing a book on cognitive development that is grounded in research and yet very enjoyable to read and accessible to a wide audience. I am a psychologist, so some of the research findings were not new, but as a new mom, I loved how she translated academic findings into concrete strategies and activities (e.g., use of a placement to focus attention on learning). I also appreciated her philosophy that helping children learn doesn't require expensive or fancy toys. Having your toddler help you match socks while folding laundry is a perfect illustration of how to promote attention skills without spending a lot of money. Wonder why babies and young kids these days seem obsessed with cell phones and computers? If so, you will find her chapter on technology and "screen time" very enlightening. And while she recommends limiting exposure to television, she does so in a realistic manner. Most of her suggestions provide a balance between what is ideal and what is realistic in today's world.

I appreciated the book's endorsements from Harvey Karp and Daniel Siegel--other authors I have read and liked, and whose work is consistent with Stamm's. In summary, I think this is an accessible book that all parents, caregivers, and early childhood educators should read!

Writed more from person experience than scientific research
This book offered a few good insights, however, I felt that the offer focused too much on personal experience. I felt that the author had already made up her mind about what she wanted to say in the book and then searched for the research to prove it. This book offered very little useful advice.

Great Read for New Parents
This book was so helpful for me as a new, stay-at-home mom. It helped alleviate some of my concerns (yes, it is actually good and even necessary to let your baby have some "down time") and it also gave me some great ideas for age appropriate learning and play activities. I have a much better insight into the brain of a baby and how my little girl best learns and absorbs the world around her. A few examples of some helpful advice from Bright From The Start: After reading how wonderful signing is for your baby's brain development, my husband and I started signing with our daughter. She is now 6 months old and can sign 4 words! I was also very interested in the section on television and children under two. No more T.V. for baby! ...not even Sesame Street.
After reading it, I gave this book to a friend of mine who liked it so much she bought copies to share with some of her friends. Interesting, informative and well written.

The Science of Brain Development made Easy
Great book. The author backs up her recommendations with references to scientific studies. She also makes some recommendations that aren't (yet) backed by science but more her observations in many years of working in the field. She provides specific recommendations both for parents who will be raising their children at home as well as those that need to put their children in daycare at an early age.

Some good information but somewhat promotional and biased
First of all I must note that I read this book on iKindle (Kindle on the iPhone). I have two comments in regard to this: the first is that all the dashes--which the author used to excess--came across as question marks. This is not the author's fault of course. Her punctuation however is excessive. There is a lot of abuse of the exclamation point! All told?and this may be a quirk in the iPhone kindle?the result is often very unreadable!

Enough about grammar, the important thing is the book content. The author had a premature baby and a normal healthy baby and she shares a lot of her personal experience in this book. These stories are often touching and serve well to contrast the extremes of child development.

I found the exercises and scientific information very beneficial and I agree with most reviewers that this is a valuable book. I also found a lot of product endorsements. In many cases these endorsements seem to be self-serving.

There is also a good amount of information which is controversial or conflicting with advice you'll get from other reputable books and studies.

I think this is an excellent book to read with one or two grains of salt. There is very good advice and very good suggestions for exercises and playtime activities. As a new parent you'll trust your instincts and you'll be right to do so. This is a good source for suggestions but I wouldn't suggest it as a step by step guide to getting your child off to an intellectual head start. Love your child and trust your gut and you won't go wrong. I will use this book as a suggestion box, not a bible.

I am surprised that out of 30 reviews I am the first person not to give it five glowing stars. I do think it's a good book, but I don't think it really deserves five stars.