This was originally published in the Camp Spring Creek newsletter. To view or download any newsletters for free, click here.
The central premise of Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman is that many of modern society's most popular strategies for raising children are in fact backfiring because key points in the science of child development and behavior have been overlooked. We were so impressed by the chapter on sleep, that we have changed our summer schedule to allow for an hour more sleep each night. It was also validating to read about the acquisition of language. We know that solid Orton-Gillingham instruction is the most effective way to teach anyone, but it is essential for our kids. There are programs where people think they can use computer software or Skype tutoring. Those programs are not effective and Bronson and Merryman agree, as they are writing for a general population.