
What's Going on in There?
How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $21.92
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Cris Dukehart
-
By:
-
Lise Eliot
About this listen
As a research neuroscientist, Lise Eliot has made the study of the human brain her life's work. But it wasn't until she was pregnant with her first child that she became intrigued with the study of brain development. She wanted to know precisely how the baby's brain is formed, and when and how each sense, skill, and cognitive ability is developed. And most importantly, she was interested in finding out how her role as a nurturer can affect this complex process. How much of her baby's development is genetically ordained-and how much is determined by environment? Is there anything parents can do to make their babies' brains work better-to help them become smarter, happier people? Drawing upon the exploding research in this field as well as the stories of real children, What's Going On in There? is a lively and thought-provoking book that charts the brain's development from conception through the critical first five years. In examining the many factors that play crucial roles in that process, What's Going On in There? explores the evolution of the senses, motor skills, social and emotional behaviors, and mental functions such as attention, language, memory, reasoning, and intelligence. This remarkable book also discusses: how a baby's brain is "assembled" from scratchthe critical prenatal factors that shape brain development how the birthing process itself affects the brain which forms of stimulation are most effective at promoting cognitive development how boys' and girls' brains develop differently how nutrition, stress, and other physical and social factors can permanently affect a child's brain Brilliantly blending cutting-edge science with a mother's wisdom and insight, What's Going On in There? is an invaluable contribution to the nature versus nurture debate. Children's development is determined both by the genes they are born with and the richness of their early environment. This timely and important book shows parents the innumerable ways in which they can actually help their children grow better brains.
©2000 Lise Eliot (P)2012 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Happiest Toddler on the Block
- How to Eliminate Tantrums and Raise a Patient, Respectful and Cooperative One- to Four-Year-Old: Revised Edition
- By: Harvey Karp Md
- Narrated by: Tim Fannon
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Perfect for expecting parents who want to prepare themselves for the challenging toddler years (which starts around eight months of age), this essential guide, a national bestseller by respected pediatrician and child development expert Dr. Harvey Karp, not only helps reduce tantrums but makes happy kids even happier by boosting patience, cooperation, and self-confidence. Toddlers can drive you bonkers...so adorable and fun one minute...so stubborn and demanding the next!
-
-
Not good advice
- By SE on 03-29-20
By: Harvey Karp Md
-
The Scientist in the Crib
- What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind
- By: Alison Gopnik PhD, Andrew Meltzoff PhD, Patricia K. Kuhl PhD
- Narrated by: Wendy Tremont King
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This exciting book by three pioneers in the field of cognitive science discusses important discoveries about how much babies and young children know and learn, and how much parents naturally teach them. It argues that evolution designed us both to teach and learn, and that the drive to learn is our most important instinct. It also reveals fascinating insights about our adult capacities and how even young children - as well as adults - use some of the same methods that allow scientists to learn so much about the world.
-
-
Enlightening
- By Will Waalkes on 04-22-25
By: Alison Gopnik PhD, and others
-
Brain Rules for Baby (Updated and Expanded)
- How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
- By: John Medina
- Narrated by: John Medina
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Brain Rules for Baby, Dr. John Medina shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to five. This book is destined to revolutionize parenting. Just one of the surprises: The best way to get your children into the college of their choice? Teach them impulse control. Brain Rules for Baby bridges the gap between what scientists know and what parents practice.
-
-
The Only Baby Book I'd Recommend
- By Erik on 08-14-15
By: John Medina
-
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
- A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7
- By: Joanna Faber, Julie King
- Narrated by: Heather Alicia Simms, Michele Pawk, Candace Thaxton, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What do you do with a little kid who...won't brush her teeth...screams in his car seat...pinches the baby...refuses to eat vegetables...runs rampant in the supermarket? Organized according to common challenges and conflicts, this book is an essential emergency first-aid manual of communication strategies, including a chapter that addresses the special needs of children with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders.
-
-
The message is great but the narration and writing style cringey
- By Elliott Family on 07-23-19
By: Joanna Faber, and others
-
Bringing Up Bébé
- One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting
- By: Pamela Druckerman
- Narrated by: Abby Craden
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The secret behind France's astonishingly well-behaved children is here. When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn't aspire to become a "French parent". French parenting isn't a known thing, like French fashion or French cheese. Even French parents themselves insist they aren't doing anything special. But French children are far better behaved and more in command of themselves than American kids....
-
-
Inspiring
- By Em on 04-15-12
-
The Montessori Toddler
- By: Simone Davies
- Narrated by: Susie Berneis
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This guide offers a step-by-step plan that helps parents cultivate daily routines so that they can turn life with toddlers into a mutually rich time of curiosity and learning.
-
-
A good book with a lot of ideas
- By Dewey on 07-23-21
By: Simone Davies
-
The Happiest Toddler on the Block
- How to Eliminate Tantrums and Raise a Patient, Respectful and Cooperative One- to Four-Year-Old: Revised Edition
- By: Harvey Karp Md
- Narrated by: Tim Fannon
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Perfect for expecting parents who want to prepare themselves for the challenging toddler years (which starts around eight months of age), this essential guide, a national bestseller by respected pediatrician and child development expert Dr. Harvey Karp, not only helps reduce tantrums but makes happy kids even happier by boosting patience, cooperation, and self-confidence. Toddlers can drive you bonkers...so adorable and fun one minute...so stubborn and demanding the next!
-
-
Not good advice
- By SE on 03-29-20
By: Harvey Karp Md
-
The Scientist in the Crib
- What Early Learning Tells Us About the Mind
- By: Alison Gopnik PhD, Andrew Meltzoff PhD, Patricia K. Kuhl PhD
- Narrated by: Wendy Tremont King
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This exciting book by three pioneers in the field of cognitive science discusses important discoveries about how much babies and young children know and learn, and how much parents naturally teach them. It argues that evolution designed us both to teach and learn, and that the drive to learn is our most important instinct. It also reveals fascinating insights about our adult capacities and how even young children - as well as adults - use some of the same methods that allow scientists to learn so much about the world.
-
-
Enlightening
- By Will Waalkes on 04-22-25
By: Alison Gopnik PhD, and others
-
Brain Rules for Baby (Updated and Expanded)
- How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five
- By: John Medina
- Narrated by: John Medina
- Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Brain Rules for Baby, Dr. John Medina shares what the latest science says about how to raise smart and happy children from zero to five. This book is destined to revolutionize parenting. Just one of the surprises: The best way to get your children into the college of their choice? Teach them impulse control. Brain Rules for Baby bridges the gap between what scientists know and what parents practice.
-
-
The Only Baby Book I'd Recommend
- By Erik on 08-14-15
By: John Medina
-
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
- A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7
- By: Joanna Faber, Julie King
- Narrated by: Heather Alicia Simms, Michele Pawk, Candace Thaxton, and others
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What do you do with a little kid who...won't brush her teeth...screams in his car seat...pinches the baby...refuses to eat vegetables...runs rampant in the supermarket? Organized according to common challenges and conflicts, this book is an essential emergency first-aid manual of communication strategies, including a chapter that addresses the special needs of children with sensory processing and autism spectrum disorders.
-
-
The message is great but the narration and writing style cringey
- By Elliott Family on 07-23-19
By: Joanna Faber, and others
-
Bringing Up Bébé
- One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting
- By: Pamela Druckerman
- Narrated by: Abby Craden
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The secret behind France's astonishingly well-behaved children is here. When American journalist Pamela Druckerman has a baby in Paris, she doesn't aspire to become a "French parent". French parenting isn't a known thing, like French fashion or French cheese. Even French parents themselves insist they aren't doing anything special. But French children are far better behaved and more in command of themselves than American kids....
-
-
Inspiring
- By Em on 04-15-12
-
The Montessori Toddler
- By: Simone Davies
- Narrated by: Susie Berneis
- Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This guide offers a step-by-step plan that helps parents cultivate daily routines so that they can turn life with toddlers into a mutually rich time of curiosity and learning.
-
-
A good book with a lot of ideas
- By Dewey on 07-23-21
By: Simone Davies
-
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
- By: Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish
- Narrated by: Susan Bennett
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This best-selling classic by internationally acclaimed experts on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships.
-
-
Best. Parenting. Book. Ever.
- By John on 01-02-13
By: Adele Faber, and others
-
No-Drama Discipline
- The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
- By: Tina Payne Bryson PhD, Daniel j. Siegel MD
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel MD, Tina Payne Bryson PhD
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears - without causing a scene. Defining the true meaning of the “d” word (to instruct, not to shout or reprimand), the authors explain how to reach your child, redirect emotions, and turn a meltdown into an opportunity for growth.
-
-
I Can See Light At The End Of My Tunnel
- By G Busi on 02-23-15
By: Tina Payne Bryson PhD, and others
-
The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition
- The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
- By: Harvey Karp
- Narrated by: Tim Fannon
- Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Never again will you have to stand by helplessly while your little baby cries and cries. There is a way to calm most crying babies...usually in minutes! With Dr. Karp’s sensible advice, parents and grandparents, nurses and nannies, will be able to transform even the fussiest infant into the happiest baby on the block!
-
-
just google the 5 S
- By Bobinho on 08-28-19
By: Harvey Karp
-
Raising Good Humans
- A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids
- By: Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, Carla Naumburg PhD
- Narrated by: Jennifer Gilmour
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With this book, you’ll find powerful mindfulness skills for calming your own stress response when difficult emotions arise. You’ll also discover strategies for cultivating respectful communication, effective conflict resolution, and reflective listening. In the process, you’ll learn to examine your own unhelpful patterns and ingrained reactions that reflect the generational habits shaped by your parents, so you can break the cycle and respond to your children in more skillful ways.
-
-
Great Book About Parenting and Teaching Kindness!
- By Ma P on 09-11-20
By: Hunter Clarke-Fields MSAE, and others
-
Hunt, Gather, Parent
- What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans
- By: Michaeleen Doucleff
- Narrated by: Michaeleen Doucleff
- Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Hunt, Gather, Parent, Doucleff sets out with her three-year-old daughter in tow to learn and practice parenting strategies from families in three of the world’s most venerable communities: Maya families in Mexico, Inuit families above the Arctic Circle, and Hadzabe families in Tanzania. She sees that these cultures don’t have the same problems with children that Western parents do.
-
-
I wish they had a professional narrator
- By Anonymous User on 03-26-21
-
The Whole-Brain Child
- 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
- By: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.
-
-
Several comments on the brain were incorrect.
- By Abelle on 04-18-23
By: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., and others
-
Precious Little Sleep
- The Complete Baby Sleep Guide for Modern Parents
- By: Alexis Dubief
- Narrated by: Alexis Dubief
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Parenting a baby or toddler is the grandest adventure of all, when you’re not miserably exhausted. Sleep expert Alexis Dubief, of the wildly popular website Precious Little Sleep, imparts effective, accessible, and flexible strategies based on years of research that will dramatically improve your child’s sleep, detailing seven methods to teach your baby to sleep so that you can find what works best for your family.
-
-
Very funny and informative, gives parents lots of options
- By Kristina G. Relph on 02-24-19
By: Alexis Dubief
-
1-2-3 Magic
- Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (6th edition)
- By: Thomas W. Phelan PhD
- Narrated by: Paul Costanzo
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but every family faces challenges that can be frustrating and overwhelming. For more than 25 years, internationally renowned clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan's 1-2-3 Magic has helped millions of parents, teachers, and caregivers raise independent, emotionally intelligent children and build happier, healthier families - all through an easy to understand program that you'll swear "works like magic".
-
-
Not for kids with Trauma
- By Amy K. on 12-17-19
-
The Power of Showing Up
- How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired
- By: Daniel J. Siegel MD, Tina Payne Bryson PhD
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel MD, Tina Payne Bryson PhD
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the very best scientific predictors for how any child turns out - in terms of happiness, academic success, leadership skills, and meaningful relationships - is whether at least one adult in their life has consistently shown up for them. In an age of scheduling demands and digital distractions, showing up for your child might sound like a tall order. But as best-selling authors Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson reassuringly explain, it doesn’t take a lot of time, energy, or money. Instead, showing up means offering a quality of presence.
-
-
Great Educators
- By Bored on 02-26-21
By: Daniel J. Siegel MD, and others
-
Solve Your Child's Sleep Problems
- By: Richard Ferber
- Narrated by: George K. Wilson
- Length: 16 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the first major revision of his best-selling, groundbreaking classic, Dr. Richard Ferber, the nation's foremost authority on children's sleep problems, delivers safe, sound ideas for helping your child fall and stay asleep at night and perform well during the day. Incorporating new research, Dr. Ferber provides important basic information that all parents should know regarding the nature of sleep and the development of normal sleep and body rhythms throughout childhood. He discusses the causes of most sleep problems from birth to adolescence and recommends an array of proven solutions for each.
-
-
Just speed up and the narrator gets better
- By Amazon Customer on 06-20-18
By: Richard Ferber
-
Expecting Better
- Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know
- By: Emily Oster
- Narrated by: Emily Oster, Jonathan Todd Ross
- Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When award-winning economist Emily Oster was a mom-to-be herself, she evaluated the data behind the accepted rules of pregnancy, and discovered that most are often misguided and some are just flat-out wrong. Debunking myths and explaining everything from the real effects of caffeine to the surprising dangers of gardening, Expecting Better is the book for every pregnant woman who wants to enjoy a healthy and relaxed pregnancy—and the occasional glass of wine.
-
-
look up FASD before drinking while pregnant!
- By Soelle Bloom on 03-05-22
By: Emily Oster
-
What to Expect When You’re Expecting
- By: Heidi Murkoff
- Narrated by: Heidi Murkoff, Meeghan Holaway, Emma Bing, and others
- Length: 32 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This cover-to-cover (including the cover!) new edition is filled with must-have information, advice, insight, and tips for a new generation of moms and dads. With What to Expect’s trademark warmth, empathy, and humor, it answers every conceivable question expecting parents could have, including dozens of new ones based on the ever-changing pregnancy and birthing practices and choices they face. Advice for dads is fully integrated throughout the book.
-
-
The author writes as though we are children
- By V Diploe on 11-15-20
By: Heidi Murkoff
Critic reviews
What listeners say about What's Going on in There?
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 05-20-15
great book on baby development and how nurture
good detailed neurological information on how the brain develops and on how to stimulate the brain before and after birth.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DE
- 10-06-18
It’s a must read for every parent
Very well written book and very informative. Reading this book certainly changed the way I will parent my child.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Derek
- 03-27-18
A book I recommend to every new parent I know
I really.. Really enjoyed this book. Loaded with informative, fact based content. Will listen again
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Dillon
- 10-08-18
Must read for parents
I was unsatisfied whit a few other early childhood development books. I felt the author did an exceptional job of organizing all of the information in this book. I only review when a book deserves it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Elizabeth DeGrush
- 07-16-16
interesting!
narrator was a bit annoying with baby talk, too cutesy, but data is sound and is presented in an easy format.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
- KatieintheD
- 04-25-16
a must for every early childhood professional
as an OT that works with children 0 to 10 primarily I loved learning more about typical development of the beain, the senses and the body, as well as what can be done (based on peer reviewed studies) to set children up for sucess in learning and in life. It also helped me better understand the impact of environmental and genetic factors during pregnancy. I am going to make this required reading, and would highly recommend it for nerds mom's (as long as you are not the anxious type, as it reveals what can go wrong in development too)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gimmethatboxmailman
- 07-06-23
2 issues: age and narrator
At the time of writing this, this book is 23 years old. I didn't realize this until after downloading the book. There's no mention of it being updated. There's a reason why you can find 20+ year old science textbooks so cheap online: the information in them is not up to date, so no one wants them. I don't want my understanding of infant and childhood brain development to be based on outdated information, and I can't possibly spend the time checking all aspects of this book for currency.
As a medical professional, I had a hard time focusing on the content of this audiobook due to the frequent mispronunciation of science terms. The narrator should have been someone with a science background or at least proofed by someone with a science background.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- ANDRÉ
- 04-09-14
Not an easy read, but an important one
I read this book again last week. What's Going on in There is full of information, much more than Brain Rules for Babies (which is also a great book, but many tips are just Cntl C + Cntl V from this one). Of course Brain Rules for Babies is more palatable, fun and sleek, but What's Going on in There is so rich, that it deserves another realm. If you have a children, or is planning to have one, read both of them.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Blake
- 09-12-22
Too much animal research, not enough human brains.
Although valid research and discussion are present in the content, significant portions are not useful for a book focused on baby brain development. Certainly, when there is less research available on the human brain, research on mice and primate brains will provide a deeper understanding of human neurology. However, this is not the case when contextualizing the experiences alluded to by the author. I'm dissatisfied because, when describing what isn't fully understood, the book tangents off into a speculative discussion. I found it misleading to conflate understanding the current state of neurological research with understanding what is inside a baby's brain.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jocelyn Kelly
- 08-18-24
Out of date
This book is extremely out of date. It presents studies of varying quality without examining the overall takeaways. Definitely do not recommend.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!