Blueprint: How our childhood makes us who we are

by Lucy Maddox

'The best book I've read this year ... It's written in such a beautiful way' - Dr Suzi Gage, Book ShamblespodcastThis is an excellent book for anyone who wants to understand the psychology and the science behind what makes them them! - Professor Tanya Byron'This book walks the line between being absolutely fascinating yet accessible. It made me look at how we are raising our kids, as well as my own upbringing, but did so in a totally judgement free way. Loved it' - Clemmie TelfordFrom birth to adulthood, Blueprint tells you what you need to know about how you became who you areHave you ever wondered how your early life shaped you? From beginning to say simple words like 'mama' and learning how to walk around unaided, to the first day of school and forming new friendships, everyone has been a child. The roots of our adult selves go right back to our first experiences. How we think, act and interact is influenced by our early years, yet most people don't know the key findings from the juiciest child development studies that can give us insight into our adult selves. Weaving together cutting edge research, everyday experience and clinical examples, Dr Lucy Maddox explains how we develop from an unconscious bundle of cells floating about in the dark of the in uterine environment to to a fully grown complex adult, revealing fascinating insights about our personality, relationships and daily lives along the way.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Education

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2018

About the author

DR LUCY MADDOX is a consultant clinical psychologist, lecturer and writer who loves to share psychology ideas.

She has worked clinically in a variety of NHS and third sector settings and academically in a variety of universities. She is currently a clinical academic fellow at the University of Bath, researching compassion in mental healthcare.

Lucy has written three books, and for various publications including the Guardian, Science, Prospect, The Psychologist and the Times. She published Blueprint: How Our Childhood Makes Us Who We Are, in March 2018, then a book for children aged 10+ called What is Mental Health? and most recently has written A Year To Change Your Mind, to share ideas from the therapy room.

Find Lucy on Twitter @lucy_maddox and on Instagram @drlucymaddox.

Lucy's website is https://www.lucymaddox.co.uk/ and she also has a blog and newsletter you can sign up to on the website.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this would be useful in looking back at one’s family structure and upbringing to give insights into adult behaviors. Turns out it’s more technical and more about how adults should interact with children when they’re born. Good for those about to have children, rather than those wanting to understand the dynamics of their own upbringing.

[Toby Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Treads an effective line between 'popular' science and something more substantial. As a portmanteau to cover lightly a selection of the important elements that combine to afford a better understanding of human complexity - and the range of developmental factors that play a part in its weaving - Lucy Maddox's easily digested overview does a good job in provoking further thought.

[Laura K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blueprint is an insightful exploration of how childhood shapes our identities, offering a mix of psychological research and relatable narratives. While the book provides valuable information, some sections felt repetitive, and I would have liked to see more raw data to back up the claims.

One of the book’s strengths is its accessibility—it’s written in a way that resonates with readers from all walks of life, supported by reputable sources and clear explanations.

This book seems particularly suited for those preparing to become parents, as it focuses heavily on understanding childhood development rather than offering tools for analyzing and addressing one’s own past. For readers in that stage of life, it’s a thoughtful and worthwhile read.

[Esi_70 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The tittle made me believe I'd get info about how to deal with the aspects I got from my family which don't work, -there're quite a few of them- instead, this is a summary of studies and tests different practitioners have done over history, it presented very few bits I didn't know and it was very boring to read.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a non-psychologist who maybe should have become a psychologist . . . because I’ve always been interested in the field, and especially in child development. So . . . the nerd in me very much appreciated this deep-dive into theories of child development from birth (even before birth, actually) through early adulthood.

The book is extremely readable and accessible for the non-psychologist, providing overviews of many classic studies and key theories of developmental psychology. Fascinating!

Highly recommended for non-psychology nerds . . . like me.

[Theo Kokonas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and has some great gems in it. The research the author drew upon was sound and dispelled alot of incorrect assertions I'd long held around personality development and the nature vs nurture debate. A worthwhile read, particularly if you have kids.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An insightful whistle-stop tour through key areas of childhood development and their interaction with us as adults. Super interesting, particulate ch4 on epigenetic advances challenging the nature vs nurture debate and ch8 on moral development.

Will definitely reread multiple times.

[Pradeepkumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not my type of work ! I think I need some more maturity to complete this book. However, I enjoyed reading about how school going children build relationship around their surroundings.