Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Book & DVD)
Most of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know–such as the brain’s need for physical activity to work at its best.
How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget–and so important to repeat new information? Is it true that men and women have different brains?
In Brain Rules, molecular biologist Dr. John Medina shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule–what scientists know for sure about how our brains work–and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.
Medina’s fascinating stories and sense of humor breathe life into brain science. You’ll learn why Michael Jordan was no good at baseball. You’ll peer over a surgeon’s shoulder as he finds, to his surprise, that we have a Jennifer Aniston neuron. You’ll meet a boy who has an amazing memory for music but can’t tie his own shoes.
You will discover how:
- Every brain is wired differently
- Exercise improves cognition
- We are designed to never stop learning and exploring
- Memories are volatile
- Sleep is powerfully linked with the ability to learn
- Vision trumps all of the other senses
- Stress changes the way we learn
In the end, you’ll understand how your brain really works–and how to get the most out of it.
About the DVD The Brain Rules DVD, included with this book, is a lively tour of the 12 brain rules. You will experience firsthand Medina’s rare gift for making science fun, accessible, and relevant. The DVD will take your understanding of the book to the next level.
Customer Review: Amazing
Read this book. Entertaining, clear and you will learn a lot about how we work.
Customer Review: Fascinating book
I’m a teacher and have recently become interested in the brain. This book is GREAT for educators. It will make you rethink the way you teach. It made me realize how important some parts of the curriculum are (P.E.) which are often cut in order to make more room for review time. With all the non-sense high stakes tests of NCLB it’s not surprising (I did it myself) but if you want to boost your test scores, DON’T CUT P.E. I love this book and would recommend it to anybody, but especially teachers.
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Micro Excavator with Helmet
Hear the engine roar as your little worker takes on the neighborhood’s toughest jobs. Kids can stand or sit to move this “big machine” around the job site. When little hands push or pull the control stick, the jib moves up and down. Battery-powered excavator makes real engine sounds. Made of durable, rugged plastic. Adult supervision recommended. Requires four “C” batteries, not included. Measures 31.5″L x 9″W x 26″H. Holds up to 75 pounds.
Price: $39.99
Customer Review: excellent value
I got this for my 3yo boy. He loves it!! He scoops up toys inside and rocks and dirt outside. It is made of hard plastic, and works great. He loves the motor sounds and adds his own sounds. He is a little rough with the controls but so far, they have held up well. Easy to put together and and clean the scoop for inside play. There is also a bulldozer “scoop” on the bottom front that you cannot see very good in the picture, I think this is for keeping dirt from getting underneath the carriage of the excavator, a nice feature. Overall, I would recommend if your little on loves construction type vehicles.
Customer Review: biggest piece of junk- please don,t buy this backhoe.
This is the worst toy ever! I got it for my little cousin Georgie because he really wanted it. He was excited to get it. But after about five minutes, the backhoe stopped working. Georgie’s Daddy took a look at it and tried to fix it. But he couldn’t so he took it to the manufacture’r of the toy. Guy said, “This is just a dead one.” Georgie is very unhappy. Daddy too!
Little Red Riding Hood (Little Puppet Theater)
Watch beloved children’s stories come alive as kids enter them through the magic of puppetry.
These beautifully illustrated pages of sturdy cardboard unfold to create a solid puppet stage, with the complete story printed inside. Here children use four bright finger puppets to act out the tale while reading it for audiences.
Made of sturdy cardboard, the theater is bright, colorful and easy to use. The finger puppets are cloth, non-toxic, printed in bright colors and designed to fit on a child’s fingers. The stage and puppets come in a sturdy matching carrying case with a velcro-shut lid and topped with a suitcase handle — perfect for taking the whole show on the road to Grandma’s.
The bright colors and art-quality illustrations make these puppet theaters quality gifts that will be treasured through many years of happy use.
List Price: $19.95
Used Price: $7.98
Razor Dune Buggy
You’ll turn heads as you whiz by in this slick, smooth-running Dune Buggy.
Features:
- 350-Watt motor
- 8″ knobby pneumatic tires
- Speeds up to 8 mph
- Active rear suspension
- Reduction drive provides high-torque gearing
- Bucket seat with safety strap
- Durable tubular steel frame
- Powder-coated finish
- Diamond tread floorboards
- Hand-operated throttle and brake controls
- Rear disc brake
- Brush bar
- Safety flag
- Stores vertically
- Maximum rider weight of 120 pounds
- Measures 44″ L x 27.0″ W x 19.0″ H
- Requires two 12-Volt sealed lead-acid batteries and charger, included
List Price: $399.99
Amazon Price: $317.30
Customer Review: This is an awesome product!
Listen up folks — this is an amazing dune buggy! I was delighted to watch my 5-year old on this thing. I purchased this product on Thursday, it was delivered by the next Monday. I pulled it out of the box and plugged it in. Follow the directions on the special insert. Initial charge should be between 18 - 24 hours. Thereafter, each charge should be 12 hours. My son, complete with a huge grin, rode this on the grass in a big field for 1/2 hour. Then we went to pavement for an entire hour! I still don’t understand how we squeezed out 1 1/2 hours of fun on one battery charge. It goes the PERFECT SPEED for my son. Fast enough for fun and challenge, but not too fast as to be seriously dangerous. Everyone in the park was watching him. Numerous adults were staring, no kidding, with mouths gaping open. “Where’d you get that!?” “Where’d you get that?!” “Does that thing run on battery? Does it ever need recharging?” And no — I don’t work for the Razor company. My son is 5, so parental supervision is CRITICAL!!! I ride next to him on an adult scooter, telling him to stop, go or steer clear of the little toddler. If he doesn’t listen, he doesn’t ride. Don’t go anywhere near traffic! Watch out for pedestrians — your son can and will crash into them. Nothing happened, but only because I was never more than 3 seconds away from my son, but I was struck by how easily he could have hurt somebody. Don’t underestimate a 5-year old’s selective hearing and lack of coordination (the recommended age is 8 - up for a reason). That being said, I still think this is the biggest blast! It is everything I wanted for my son and more!
Customer Review: fun!
This dune buggy is great! My seven and five year olds love it. Sturdy construction. However, you might not want to let your five year old try to drive it full speed under your parked mini van in the driveway. Broke the throttle right off after only having it a few weeks. Ah well, had to call Razor for a replacement part. So that’s why it’s for eight year olds. I even get on it from time to time and zoom around. I would definitely reccomend this product!!
Fisher-Price Lil’ Quad
Take your toddler for a test drive on the Lil’ Quad. This sturdy and safe Power Wheels ATV has built-in footrests and a convenient cargo rack on the back for toting around toys. Designed especially for toddlers, the Lil’ Quad rides low so it’s easy for little ones to get on and off by themselves. Sturdy and fun to drive, this ride-on moves forward at 2 mph maximum. Use on hard surfaces and grass. Measures approximately 26.25″ x 13″ x 16.38″. Requires 6V rechargeable battery and charger (both included).
List Price: $70.79
Amazon Price: $70.79
Customer Review: Great Toy
I purchased this for my grandson more than a year ago. He was just 1 but had no problem learning to ride. He has never drained the battery in his 2 day visits. Everything has held up. We used it in the house where he could run into things and not damage them with the plastic bumper. Go job Fisher Price on a good toy and a great value. No I’m not an employee. At 2years old and over 35lbs my grandson may be getting ready for the next larger model.
Customer Review: Fun Fun Fun
I purchased this as a gift for my grandsons first birthday. It is his favorite toy and learned how to work it in less then 20 minutes. Great toy to teach spacial resoning as well as cause and effect response. Works great and is a deal for the price.
This Harbor Town Bunk Bed is traditional yet still something unique because of the subtle elegance of this Young America line. This bunk bed is perfect for either one child or two. An array of complementary Harbor Town underbed options can only augment the traditional feel that this bunk bed has. Features: -Heavily distressed, rich Cherry finish -Constructed of cherry and select hardwood solids with cherry veneers -Bunk ladders and guard rails attach to bed rails with screws; bed rails are fastened through posts with steel bolts -Hi-lo bed rail locking system allows underbed options and transition bed conversion -Bunk Bed can be seperated into two individual twin beds -Weight Limit: Upper Bunk - 160 lbs, Lower Bunk - 200 lbs -Slat roll mattress support provides enough support for the mattress that a box spring or bunkie board is not necessary -All drawers are constructed with traditional English and French dovetailing -Warp-free bed rails of ply construction -Spindles and slats are appropriately placed to prevent small fingers and toes from dangerous pinch-points -2.5″ thick posts joined by sturdy dowel pins -Optional Twin Trundle Unit can hold a twin mattress and pulls out on casters -Optional Underbed Space Saver can hold a twin mattress and pulls out on casters -Optional Underbed Storage Boxes consists of two drawers on casters Specifications: -Twin Bunk Bed Overall Dimensions: 78″ H x 41.5″ W x 81″ D -Twin Trundle Unit Dimensions: 12.25″ H x 75.25″ W x 39.9″ D -Underbed Storage Boxes Dimensions: 12.63″ H x 37.5″ W x 40.13″ D -Underbed Space Saver Dimensions: 5″ (lowered) - 15.5″ H (raised) x 72″ W x 38″ D Young America by Stanley Safety Guide Young America by Stanley Quality and Durability
The Barking Dogs Family features a mother dog and a puppy that your child can play with together or separately making two toys in one. Both dogs have wheels, and the mother has a leash so your child can take the Barking Dogs Family on walks. The mother dog will even bark when your child pulls on the leash. The Barking Dogs Family will delight your child and will also improve your child’s movement and audio skills. Features: -Two toys in one -Moveable wheels for easy walking -Barking mother dog -Improves children’s walking ability and audio skills -For children ages 1 to 4 years -Three LR44 batteries included 
