The Gardener and the Carpenter
What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children
by:
Alison Gopnik
Summary:
The book challenges traditional parenting models by contrasting the roles of gardeners, who create environments for plants to flourish, with carpenters, who aim to shape materials into a specific outcome. It draws on scientific research in child development to argue for an approach that allows children to explore, learn, and grow through their own experiences rather than being molded by parental expectations.
Key points:
1. Gardening vs Carpentry Parenting: Gopnik compares parenting to gardening (nurturing individual growth) and carpentry (shaping into a specific mold), favoring the former for child development.
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