Shaun Gallagher (2)

This book is a series of do-it-yourself versions of developmental experiments that have been done with children. The early experiments are mostly reflex based (look what happens when you press on the soles of baby's feet!), the early ones are more social and learning based (does whether you are being positive, negative, or neutral when describing something make a difference to baby?).

It's not a very good book to read. Each experiment is described in 2-3 pages with a formulaic structure. However, this isn't a book to read. It's a book to do. And finding the age appropriate experiments and watching your baby grow and develop is great fun!… (mere)

Most of the experiments in this book are easy to do and don't require a lot of elaborate preparation or equipment. Considering the strains that an infant/toddler puts on their parents, that's great. However, maybe as a result of how easy they are to set up they're also largely uninteresting to the experiments' subject kid. Keeping my child reasonably entertained and cooperative while playing through these experiments was sometimes frustrating. Even with those reservations, this was still one of the more enjoyable baby-focused books I've picked up and I'll probably pass it along to a friend rather than donating or pitching it.… (mere)