The Airbnb apartment I’d rented was not only spotless, there was zero clutter anywhere. Two tiny toddlers and two tiny dogs lived there, I knew, not to mention their parents. So why wasn’t this condo as cluttered as mine? I was so perplexed. I suppose that’s why, when I ducked out of the rain into a bookstore and spotted the tiny book “The […]
BY MADI CAVELL Betty Udesen is the photographer who captured the wonderful moments in Zero to Five: 70 Essential Tips Based on Science. An award-winning photojournalist, Betty worked at The Seattle Times (where she and Tracy first collaborated) and has captured images across the world. Here are some of Betty’s essential tips for photographing children. […]
“Why Some Kids Try Harder and Some Kids Give Up“: This post on how to give our kids a growth mindset is the most popular piece I’ve written in the past year. I’m guessing that’s not just because we all want to teach our kids how to persevere through challenges. I’m guessing it’s also because we wonder for […]
by Madi Cavell The photography in Zero to Five is beautiful, but it is also strikingly real. The people in the photographs are not models, and the rooms are not sets. These are real families going about their normal lives in their own homes and neighborhoods. Photographer Betty Udesen captured laughter and tears, relaxation and […]
“Oh, so this for you, then?” That’s what my neighbor said when I told him a) I was thinking about a Lorax themed birthday party for my almost-3-year-old, and b) she’d probably be happy if the only decor were the three big, white balloons she’d chosen herself that morning. His words replayed in my head. I wanted the party to feel special. […]
Raise your hands: Who listed “exercise” as a resolution this year? And who listed “exercise” as a resolution last year? And the year before that? My hand is up, too. But last year was unusual for me: I actually kept the resolution … all year long. Here’s how. I was talking with a friend — […]
It’s that time of year! Usually I’m not organized enough to do my holiday shopping this early. But this year, I already have a gift for you. I want to thank you for being a part of the growing Zero to Five community: reading my newsletters, sharing my Huffington Post articles, giving Zero to Five such great reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and […]
Try this: Set a timer for 10 minutes and go for a very slow walk. Letting your gaze wander, look for things you like in the environment. When you find something you like, pause and appreciate it for longer than you otherwise would. Continue on, looking for the positive. What do you notice? This is […]
The latest issue of Seattle’s Child magazine includes a Q & A with me, along with excerpts of a few tips from Zero to Five. Here’s a bit of the book’s back story: Why did you decide to write Zero to Five? I wrote Zero to Five for several reasons. I wished I’d had a book like this when […]
As John Medina’s editor, I worked closely with him to shape Brain Rules and then Brain Rules for Baby. It’s been a thrill to watch both books climb onto the bestseller lists while getting rave reviews from you. I’m grateful for the books on a personal level as well. I imagine you feel the same […]