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"What Were You Thinking!?"
Understanding your child's changing brain from birth to adulthood
Brief Description
Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis. 'What were you thinking!?'If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries...
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"What Were You Thinking!?"
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See moreEverything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis.
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Description
Everything parents need to know about their baby, child or teen's developing brain to raise resilient, emotional intelligent kids, by globally renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis.
'What were you thinking!?'
If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.
In "What Were You Thinking!?" renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis unpacks how the human brain develops — from newborn to adult — and why different behavioural stages make sense once you understand what's happening upstairs. Written in plain English with warmth, humour and lots of lightbulb moments, this book distils complex neuroscience into practical insights any parent, teacher or caregiver will find invaluable.
You'll discover how the four key parts of the brain develop at different stages, why the teenage brain is effectively 'shut for renovations' for several years, and what this means for discipline, learning, emotions and decision-making. Along the way, Wallis explores brain plasticity, how to strengthen it and even how damaged brains can heal — offering hope not just for children, but for adults too.
Drawing on decades of experience as a father, foster parent, child counsellor, lecturer and sought-after international speaker, Wallis brings science to life in a way that's engaging, entertaining and genuinely life-changing.
If you've ever asked this in despair while watching a toddler melt down, a tween push boundaries or a teenager make a truly terrible decision, this book is for you.
In "What Were You Thinking!?" renowned neuroscience educator Nathan Wallis unpacks how the human brain develops — from newborn to adult — and why different behavioural stages make sense once you understand what's happening upstairs. Written in plain English with warmth, humour and lots of lightbulb moments, this book distils complex neuroscience into practical insights any parent, teacher or caregiver will find invaluable.
You'll discover how the four key parts of the brain develop at different stages, why the teenage brain is effectively 'shut for renovations' for several years, and what this means for discipline, learning, emotions and decision-making. Along the way, Wallis explores brain plasticity, how to strengthen it and even how damaged brains can heal — offering hope not just for children, but for adults too.
Drawing on decades of experience as a father, foster parent, child counsellor, lecturer and sought-after international speaker, Wallis brings science to life in a way that's engaging, entertaining and genuinely life-changing.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781991142658
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Aotearoa New Zealand
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 30 June 2026
Country: New Zealand
Imprint: A&U New Zealand
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Nathan Wallis is a world-renowned neuroscience educator, father of three and foster parent with a professional background in child counselling, teaching and social service management.
Nathan lectured in Human Development at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, and was a board member and senior trainer with the national body responsible for the dissemination of neuroscientific research to professionals. He gives hundreds of talks to parents in New Zealand and Australia each year.
Nathan lives in Milton, South Otago.
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