For better or worse, we live in possible worlds as much as actual ones. We are cursed by that characteristically human guilt and regret about what might have been in the past. But that may be the cost for our ability to hope and plan for what might be in the future. Alison Gopnik abilityactualbadly share on social
Asking questions is what brains were born to do, at least when we were young children. For young children, quite literally, seeking explanations is as deeply rooted a drive as seeking food or water. Alison Gopnik bearbrainchild Change image and share on social
The real excitement is collaborating with computer scientists and neuroscientists and starting to understand in detail how children learn so much so quickly. Alison Gopnik childcollaboratecomputer Change image and share on social
What makes knowledge automatic is what gets you to Carnegie Hall - practice, practice, practice. Alison Gopnik automaticcarnegiehall Change image and share on social
Teaching is a very effective way to get children to learn something specific - this tube squeaks, say, or a squish then a press then a pull causes the music to play. But it also makes children less likely to discover unexpected information and to draw unexpected conclusions. Alison Gopnik childconclusiondiscover share on social
From an evolutionary perspective children are, literally, designed to learn. Childhood is a special period of protected immaturity. It gives the young breathing time to master the things they will need to know in order to survive as adults. Alison Gopnik adultbreathechild share on social
I've had three of my own children and spent my professional life thinking about children. And yet I still find my relation to my children deeply puzzling. Alison Gopnik childdeeplyfind Change image and share on social
One of the most distinctive evolutionary features of human beings is our unusually long, protected childhood. Alison Gopnik beingchildhooddistinctive Change image and share on social
One of the things I say is from an evolutionary point of view: probably the ideal rich environment for a baby includes more mud, livestock, and relatives than most of us could tolerate nowadays. Alison Gopnik babyenvironmentevolutionary Change image and share on social
I'm afraid the parenting advice to come out of developmental psychology is very boring: pay attention to your kids and love them. Alison Gopnik adviceafraidattention Change image and share on social
