Archive for September, 2007
Headphones on the Belly
Scientific American recently published an editorial in their “weird science” category pondering the scientific validity of the so-called “Mozart Effect.” This, of course, refers to the apparent boost in intelligence resulting from pre-term and post-term infants, as well as young children, exposed to classical music. But whether one should play classical music to an infant still in the womb, to a newborn babe still in its crib, or even a walking, talking young child is not up for debate as an exercise in musical education. Rather, the theory implies that setting aside time and resources to play classical music for a kid at any of these stages will have a qualitative impact on real intelligence down the road and towards adulthood. But does it?
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Ten Great Optical Illusion Sites
I remember growing up and hitting that age when suddenly a whole world of nonsense images opened up before me; Optical illusions were a terrific way for me, as a kid, to play tricks on my own brain. Of course, this was long before the Web made thousands of illusions available to the average computer user, so we would hunt through the local library for books that would satisfy our cravings.
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Infant Independence and Sleep
One of the unexpected bits of advice we were given leading up the the birth of our child was to avoid routinely putting our baby to sleep. A registered nurse instructed us that “if baby doesn’t learn to sleep on her own when she’s young, it will only get harder as she gets older. Put her to bed when she seems tired or drowsy, not after you’ve lulled her to sleep in your arms.”
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An Introduction to the Three Eyes
This is an introduction to skep/dad’s so-called “three eyes” — or as they are, plainly named, Independence, Integrity, and Imagination.
As I started work on this blog a big question burned in the back of my mind. Raising young kids is not about rational explanations, learned discussions, raucous debates, or balanced explanations. In fact, raising kids is anything but those methods. I have spoken with countless parents. I have discussed at length with friends and family the ‘tricks’ in raising kids. I have read numerous parenting books. Everyone has a solution. Everyone has an answer. Everyone has a method.
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The skep/dad blog is a place for rational, science-minded fathers to express their thoughts, opinions, and ideas about bringing up kids to be critical thinking adults in a world filled with superstition, mysticism, and pseudoscience.
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Brad adds: As of October 2007, I'm soliciting interest for skeptics in the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada area who are interested in forming a skeptical society to contact me. Please do so through this blog or via Facebook (through the Edmonton Skeptical Society Group).
Or visit our new website: www.edmontonskeptics.org - If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.- Malcolm X
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- The Skeptic Dad
- The Museum of Hoaxes
- Bad Language
- Skeptical Kids
- Memoirs of a Skepchick
- Nye Labs
- The Skeptics Guide to the Universe
- Skeptical Family Forum
- The Blogfathers
- Science Creative Quarterly
- Skeptical Mom
- Pediatrics
- DIYFather.com
- James Randi Educational Foundation
- Podblack Blog
- NeuroLogica Blog
- Skeptoid: Critical Analysis of Pop Phenomena
- The Philosopher Dad
- Bug Girl’s Blog
- Skeptical Surfer
- Science Based Medicine
- Skeptic’s Annotated Bible
- Skeptic Magazine
- The Meming of Life
- SkepBitch
- Junior Skeptic
- ScienceBlogs
- Snopes (Urban Legends Reference)
- Claire’s Booklist
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