Book Recommendation - The Carpenter and the Gardener
The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnik challenges the modern “parenting” mindset, which often treats raising children like building a product. Instead, Gopnik advocates for a “gardener” approach, where parents cultivate a nurturing, flexible environment that allows children to grow naturally, explore, and develop their unique identities.Blending insights from psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy, Gopnik explains how children learn best through play, exploration, and relationships rather than rigid structures or over-planned activities. She emphasizes the importance of fostering curiosity and independence, urging parents to embrace unpredictability in their child’s development.
This book is a must-read for parents seeking to understand and support their child’s growth holistically. It offers a refreshing perspective on raising children with less control and more trust, creating a richer, more fulfilling parent-child relationship based on discovery and mutual growth.
To read more about how to level up your relationship with your learner, click here!
Related Resources
- Noodles in the Sandbox - Episode 108 - Reflections on The Gardener and The Carpenter
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About the Author
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