Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn--and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less
by Diane Eyer, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Roberta Michnick Golinkoff
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Book Reviews of Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn--and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less
Book Review: All you need to "teach" young children...
Summary: 5 Stars
As a parent of 3 young children and an early childhood educator I was thrilled to find a book based on my same philosophy. With so many high-tech toys on the market and preschools pushing academics you almost feel as if your child will be "left behind" if you don't get on the bandwagon. Personally, my children entertain themselves for a longer period of time with open-ended random items than they do with the expensive toys that has only one specific use. They make forts and houses with pillows and sheets, they fingerpaint on cardboard from cereal boxes. We made shakers by putting items such as rice into empty water bottles. My 6 year old spent an hour making a fabric collage out of old clothes. This book states facts that are backed with research and provides the reader with examples of and peace of mind that as parents and educators we need to let kids be kids and just "play." With love and interaction thrown into the formula everyhting else will fall into place.
Book Review: Serious Advice for Smart Parenting
Summary: 5 Stars
I wish I could just absorb this book and automatically incorporate its ideas into my everyday parenting. The information is very well presented and convincing, and the suggested activities are specific and useful. It's serious advice to parents of babies and young children that their child's best learning moments are in play! It doesn't encourage parents to take to the sidelines, but rather to use play and everyday experiences to foster their child's love of learning.
Now as I watch my son, I can truly appreciate that "Play IS learning!" Just the other day he was carefully moving his trike back and forth, turning the handle bars and watching the wheels turn and move as he manipulated it. Now he confidently rides his trike through narrow paths between obstacles, backing up and steering as needed. Not too long ago he would get frustrated and immediately cry for help to get out of a jam.
This book drives home the idea that you really shouldn't "try to teach" your young child so much as expose and guide him/her through different learning opportunities. Children are wired to learn, which doesn't mean we should try to feed as much info into their growing brains as early as possible. It's not meant to be work...it's play.
Book Review: A Must Read for Every Parent
Summary: 4 Stars
After seeing recent TV newsmagazine shows on Pre-School waiting lists, and the related parental and childhood stress, I wish every parent would read this book. There is a lot of solid evidence in here that will allow you to relax, enjoy playing with your child like you never have before, and help you to stop worrying about flash cards and where your child rates relative to their peers (especially when they're only two years old and it doesn't matter). Book Review: Excellent book
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered a number of books on child educational development, and I think this one may be the best. It is written in a very accessible manner, but is also very well-documented. The writers really focus on the things that parents are concerned about, and not only give information, but also provide suggestions and activities you can do with your baby and young child.
I have found it very informative, and also very calming - I don't really agree with the competitiveness and aggressive education tactics that seem to be so in vogue for really young children these days. This book reassured me that it is not necessary to "work" with very young children and babies, that their natural tendencies & interests will serve them better than anything that we can try to teach them!
Book Review: Relax and enjoy your child's love of learning
Summary: 5 Stars
I attended a luncheon where Roberta Golinkoff was a presenter which prompted me to read the book. I was very impressed and relieved. I, too, worried that I wasn't doing the "right" things (educationally speaking) for my toddlers. I do believe that the current trend toward pushing children to know how to read by preschool and know useless information is disturbing and might be one of the reasons that children are not enjoying school or learning. I lived in Europe and wasn't forced to read at an early age. I was read to everyday, I memorized stories, made them up myself, played with books, but I wasn't taught the alphabet in a formal way until I was 6. When I was taught it was because I asked and I was ready for it. I believe my love of books, reading, and learning can be attributed, in part, to this relaxed and encouraging attitude that my parents and teachers fostered in my household.