Welcome to Your Toddler's Brain

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published June 18, 2024

About the author

Lise Eliot is a mother of three, and the Associate Professor of Neuroscience at The Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University. She is the author of What’s Going On In There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life.

Reviews

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is about toddlers and not infants even though infants are mentioned. Good narration.

I'd be glad to listen to this audiobook again.

[Anna Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

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. 🧠

[Morgan Cooper]

Okay… I got this free on audible and thought it might be interesting to learn something about these kiddos. Lord, I just listened to this doctor lecture of the synapses and white vs gray matter on toddlers brains. I feel like I can totally be a pediatric neurologist now. 🙈
I did learn that they can predict whether a child will be right/left handed by how they’re positioned in the womb and which way their head turns! 🤯

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all good info on childhood and brain development and this is exactly that!!

Really enjoyed this free Audible read!! I’m a bio nerd, yes, but I don’t think this book has too much info or too complex info! I used to work in the foster care/social work field and I think this book’s info should be a requirement!

[Paige Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

HIGHLY recommend for new parents of toddlers. It's an easy listen, just under 3 hours, the narrator is good, the evidence sound, and the information easy to understand and apply to your parenting practices. Especially loved the last section that included topics about anxiety, socialization, and the importance of play.

[Trina Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning about my sweets toddler’s brain development. This book was easy to understand and interesting enough to keep listening, I saw reviews saying the narration was incredibly boring but I did not have the same thoughts, I actually liked her narration.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good short book, and a good refresher from my childhood development class I took years ago. It gave me some good insight into how my own daughters brain works now and some changes that I can make to help her learn more.

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is quite literal. The audiobook is not going to provide many tips on being a parent for a toddler, but it will shine a light on how their brain development is causing them to act, move, speak, and transform. The information was very interesting, but was not a guide to parenting.

[Beruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am probably a bit spoiled by John Medina and other excellent authors.

But still this is an interesting book, well worth reading if you want to learn more about the development of your toddler's brain in a very critical phase of their life.

[Arryanna Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and enjoyable

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting facts on a toddler's brain and how they develop in the first few years.