Welcome to Your Toddler's Brain

By: Lise Eliot, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Lise Eliot

The brain is a marvelous and complex organ that takes decades to fully mature, and no stage in that long process is more critical than the one we call the “toddler” years. During this period—from about one year old to three years old—a child transforms from a helpless infant into a running, chatting, insatiably curious little person with distinctive traits and interests. So, what is happening in the brain during this metamorphosis? How do humans acquire the motor, linguistic, and social skills that define this vital childhood period?

In Welcome to Your Toddler’s Brain, neuroscientist Lise Eliot offers answers to these intriguing questions. Over the course of six lessons, Dr. Eliot guides you through each step of a toddler’s neurological progression. Building on the concept of neuroplasticity—the brain’s extraordinary ability to adapt to its environment—Dr. Eliot explains how toddlers are able to soak up information and quickly master the skills they need to make their place in the world. She also offers insights into the emotional outbursts that characterize this tumultuous period, giving a fresh perspective on the bright side of the “terrible twos”.

Development in the toddler years is defined not only by the “toddling” and tumbling of motor-skill growth, but also by rapid language acquisition, socialization, emotional regulation, and imitation. As you dive into the various ways a child’s brain absorbs and processes environmental cues, you’ll have the chance to see the world, in all its wonder and confusion, through the eyes of a toddler. And by tracing the emergence of your toddler’s selfhood, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of these magical, mind-expanding years.

©2024 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2024 Audible Originals, LLC.

Riveting science!

This was an absolutely wonderful science based description of toddlers brain development and how maximize it.

Great information in a way that can be understood

Toddlers are fascinating and this author and Neuro-scientist and mother breaks down the developmental mind of a toddler and I found it informative, interesting and useful.

Informative!

As a long time neuro icu nurse, this was enjoyable for me. It not only allowed me to learn about my toddler’s developing brain on a scientific level, but it helped me accept these changes and give her grace during these sometimes trying times. Before you can learn how to appropriately parent your child, I feel you need to first learn about how and why these changes are happening in their development. This was a free audible read on Amazon, so I highly recommend to my fellow toddler parents who are looking for some insight into your little one’s brain. 🧠

great listen!

it was great to listen and get a small feel for learning how to interact with my toddler. worth it;

Learning

The fact it’s unnecessary to do flashcards with infants and just books with pictures is plenty for development.

Good science; well presented

Clear explanations of what is known from experiments about toddler development. Recognizes the complex interaction between nature and nurture. Fascinating stuff!

Very little science

I expected more scientific explanation of how toddlers develop instead we heard about the wonder of the young years and endless stories about the authors own children. For a mother of two it’s quite the bore.