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How to Build a Human: What Science Knows About Childhood
'Byrne's book is about scientific parenting, and it is very welcome indeed ... breezy and digestible ... this is such a good book' Tom Whipple, The Times
Looking after children can be overwhelming, especially when a lot of people say they have the 'right' answer. But what if, instead of following instructions, you parented like a scientist? What if you took the available evidence-based information, and then really looked at how it relates to the unique child in front of you? This is what scientist Emma Byrne decided to do when she became a mother.
This book will tell you what is probably happening neurologically and physiologically in your child. It will talk about how they might develop. It will challenge the perceived wisdom, not by claiming that the studies are wrong, but by focusing on the variance, as well as the mean. Your child is an individual, not an average.
Like all good scientists, you're going to screw up along the way. You'll reach dead ends, you'll need to wrack your brain for new approaches. But by staying curious, creative, and paying attention to what's really happening with your family, Emma Byrne will help you figure it out. Just in time for everything to change once again.
Looking after children can be overwhelming, especially when a lot of people say they have the 'right' answer. But what if, instead of following instructions, you parented like a scientist? What if you took the available evidence-based information, and then really looked at how it relates to the unique child in front of you? This is what scientist Emma Byrne decided to do when she became a mother.
This book will tell you what is probably happening neurologically and physiologically in your child. It will talk about how they might develop. It will challenge the perceived wisdom, not by claiming that the studies are wrong, but by focusing on the variance, as well as the mean. Your child is an individual, not an average.
Like all good scientists, you're going to screw up along the way. You'll reach dead ends, you'll need to wrack your brain for new approaches. But by staying curious, creative, and paying attention to what's really happening with your family, Emma Byrne will help you figure it out. Just in time for everything to change once again.
- GenresParentingNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2021
13 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 21, 2021
I am not the target audience for this book but enjoyed it nonetheless. Very fun but well researched. Learn to pronounce Melbourne.
December 29, 2022
I thought this book was excellent! It reminded me a lot of those old documentaries about the developmental milestones of the “Baby Human” as well as Emily Oster’s work (high praise indeed!) Lots of high-quality scientific references, a thoughtful approach towards the uniqueness of individual children, some truly delightful vocabulary words (I liked “altricial” and “parturient”), and a very engaging sense of humor. I especially appreciated the chapters on proprioception and the theory of mind; it was fascinating to think about skills I take for granted and the nature of how they are learned over time. I’m super interested to read the author’s other book about swearing now!
January 14, 2023
i didn’t actually finish this book bc i was like why am i reading a parenting book when i don’t want a child lol
anyway still rated it 3 stars bc it’s actually quite informative and interesting!!!!!! especially if you wanted little humans in your life
anyway i don’t see myself finishing it anytime soon so maybe in the future we don’t know (we do)
anyway still rated it 3 stars bc it’s actually quite informative and interesting!!!!!! especially if you wanted little humans in your life
anyway i don’t see myself finishing it anytime soon so maybe in the future we don’t know (we do)
May 30, 2023
Damn. I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. It's very light, funny and a total passion project; I felt deep into all the author's own development nerdiness in a way that was really fun. Doesn't quite focus on one time period - I found it informative as someone hoping to get pregnant soon, but wasn't dismayed by the paragraphs about teenagers either!
It's not like some other similar books that frame the research around "discourse" or competing frameworks. The book feels way more weird and windy... tackling each subject on its own terms. I learned a little about a lot that I never would've thought to look into otherwise (still amazed that babies gag reflex happens in the front of their mouths, wtf) and am grateful this book gave me the opportunity to do so.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the grace and candidness in which the author handled the hyperfocus (and power dynamics) in development research on white, Western and even typically fairly wealthy children and families. She even presents research that breaks down these false binary traps parents get into, like the "natural" vs. "unnatural" paradigm (I really appreciated the section on, like, how people have been using pseudo-bottles/tools/supplementary feeding techniques for huge swaths of human history).
Granted like, I say all of this as a person who is more included to believe in the benefits of many of the things the author talks about, especially co-sleeping and baby led weaning, partially due to my own social class position.
:) Highly recommend for people obsessed with babies + development & all that fun stuff. What a sweet, fast read !!
It's not like some other similar books that frame the research around "discourse" or competing frameworks. The book feels way more weird and windy... tackling each subject on its own terms. I learned a little about a lot that I never would've thought to look into otherwise (still amazed that babies gag reflex happens in the front of their mouths, wtf) and am grateful this book gave me the opportunity to do so.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the grace and candidness in which the author handled the hyperfocus (and power dynamics) in development research on white, Western and even typically fairly wealthy children and families. She even presents research that breaks down these false binary traps parents get into, like the "natural" vs. "unnatural" paradigm (I really appreciated the section on, like, how people have been using pseudo-bottles/tools/supplementary feeding techniques for huge swaths of human history).
Granted like, I say all of this as a person who is more included to believe in the benefits of many of the things the author talks about, especially co-sleeping and baby led weaning, partially due to my own social class position.
:) Highly recommend for people obsessed with babies + development & all that fun stuff. What a sweet, fast read !!
April 3, 2025
OH WOW this book is INSANELY scientific but so fun to read!!
It explains what’s happening neurologically & physiologically as children grow, from how newborns adapting, why they throw food, struggle with sleep, how they learn to talk, and why stories & play are LITERALLY the best things u can share with children!
It’s packed with such high-quality & solid research of complex science but written with humor, making it feels so easy to digest! made me learn SO MUCHof things that I never would've thought to look into otherwise. As someone studying early childhood, I’m OBSESSED!!
It explains what’s happening neurologically & physiologically as children grow, from how newborns adapting, why they throw food, struggle with sleep, how they learn to talk, and why stories & play are LITERALLY the best things u can share with children!
It’s packed with such high-quality & solid research of complex science but written with humor, making it feels so easy to digest! made me learn SO MUCHof things that I never would've thought to look into otherwise. As someone studying early childhood, I’m OBSESSED!!
June 6, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed How to Build a Human by Emma Byrne. Rather than offering prescriptive parenting advice, the book explores what children might actually be experiencing as they grow, learn, and develop. Byrne’s use of scientific insights and anecdotes invites the reader to adopt a curious mindset—one that fosters greater calm and confidence in our roles as parents or caregivers. It is a refreshing and thought-provoking read that encourages us to understand rather than control, and to observe rather than overreact.
July 4, 2022
Fascinating collection of research studies of how children’s minds work and why we can assume wrong of them a lot of the time. I learned so much and I will definitely be a lot more sympathetic to the behaviours of kids now knowing more about the science of the brain and why they might do what they do, or not! Generally just an interesting read regardless of whether you are having or have had kids or not.
June 12, 2023
I had hoped to find some useful tips that i could apply to my own parenting, but there were none. The only insights that a reader could apply practically (and there weren’t many), are pretty much common knowledge.
January 8, 2024
Emma Byrne's "How to Build a Human" is an excellent evidence-based deep dive into child development, both mental and physical. I didn't expect to enjoy the book as much as I did - it's hilarious and full of great parenting advice.
August 2, 2021
A refreshing look at the science of childhood development and how to parent!
December 18, 2022
Nice collection of research around what children learn when and how. The book doesn't aim to provide advice, which is great, it helps make sense of some of the behaviour you see
July 12, 2025
Super useful
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews