Description
Book SynopsisGreat Myths of Child Development reveals the latest evidence-based science behind the myths and misconceptions about the developing child.
Table of ContentsPreface x
Introduction 1
1 Beginnings 9
#1 Identical twins have a telepathic connection that originates in the womb 10
#2 Couples dealing with infertility are more likely to get pregnant if they adopt 16
#3 Parents can predict the sex of a fetus by examining the shape of the mother’s body 22
#4 All boys have one Y chromosome (and all girls don’t) 27
#5 The attachment parenting approach strengthens the mother–infant bond 34
Speed busting for beginnings 41
#6 Identical twins have identical genes 41
#7 A woman who is already pregnant can’t get pregnant again 42
#8 The Chinese lunar calendar accurately predicts the sex of a baby 42
#9 Female fetuses have faster heart rates than male fetuses 43
#10 Epidurals create a high risk of harm during delivery 43
#11 More babies are born during a full moon 44
#12 Pre-chewing a baby’s food has no known risks 44
2 Growth, Body, & Mind 47
#13 Letting babies “cry it out” during bedtime is harmful to their development 48
#14 Sugar intake causes children to be hyperactive 55
#15 Using a baby walker will help a toddler walk sooner 60
#16 Showing cognitively stimulating videos to babies boosts their intelligence 65
#17 Using “baby talk” with an infant delays their ability to speak normally 71
#18 Vaccines caused the rise in autism diagnoses 77
Speed busting for growth, body, & mind 85
#19 A good response to stimulant medication is proof that a child has ADHD 85
#20 Requiring children to “clean their plates” promotes healthy eating habits 86
#21 Dyslexia’s defining feature is letter reversal 86
#22 Most babies can learn to read with the right learning program 87
#23 Educational kinesiology promotes learning in children 87
#24 Facilitated communication is effective for children with autism 87
#25 Dolphin-assisted therapy effectively treats children with special needs 88
3 Emotions & Behavior 92
#26 Bed-wetting is a sign of serious emotional problems 93
#27 Most antidepressants for children with depression are approved by the FDA 99
#28 Drawings contain specific signs useful in identifying subconscious problems 106
#29 Most toddlers go through a “terrible twos” stage 115
#30 Kids can be “scared straight” from delinquency 122
Speed busting for emotions & behavior 129
#31 Parents can usually tell when their child is depressed 129
#32 Young girls are more likely to have clinical depression than young boys 130
#33 Helping children avoid their fears is the best way to decrease their anxiety 130
#34 Adults can usually tell if a child is lying 131
#35 Seeing other people be aggressive will decrease children’s aggressive drive 131
#36 School homicides are on the rise 132
#37 Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) prevents drug use 132
4 Social Environment 135
#38 An “only child” is likely to be selfish, spoiled, and socially incompetent 136
#39 Divorce ruins most kids’ lives 142
#40 If you “spare the rod” you will “spoil the child” 148
#41 Brief time-outs are too weak to help decrease real behavior problems 156
#42 Daycare damages the attachment between children and parents 162
#43 Imaginary friends are a sign of social-emotional problems in children 168
Speed busting for social environment 174
#44 Birth order is a powerful predictor of a child’s personality 174
#45 The most common reason for sibling fights is the rivalry for parental love 174
#46 Parent–child relationship disruptions can be repaired with holding therapy 174
#47 Fathers use more corporal punishment than mothers 175
#48 Rewards usually decrease the desirable behavior they’re intended to increase 175
#49 Praise undermines children’s ability to be successful 176
#50 Parents were not permissive when I was a kid 177
Postscript: Closing Thoughts 180
Index 189
