S1E83 - Observations and Advice on Children and Teens from Leading Researcher Ellen Galinsky
Former Chief Science Officer of the Bezos Family Foundation and author of Mind in the Making, The Six Stages of Parenthood and The Breakthrough Years, Ellen Galinsky joined us for a deep dive interview starting with the role of neuroscience in understanding the teen brain and then branching out to questions related to teen risky behavior, self-control, decision making and autonomy. We talked about the student protestors who she viewed as potentially learning to take positive risks and went on to helicopter parenting; kids as pals of their parents; birth order; temperaments and the two areas in which she holds some of her strongest convictions -- executive function skills and engagement. A veritable potpourri of important and interrelated topics, including the good and the bad in social media; social efficacy; home schooling; creative and critical thinking and kids who change gender.
Biography
Ellen Galinsky is President of Families and Work Institute. She’s conducted research on child-care, parent-professional relationship, parental development, work-family issues and youth voice. She also serves as senior science advisor to AASA, the School Superintendent Organization and as senior advisor to the Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary of Youth Mental Health at the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Ellen is the author of the best-selling Mind in the Making, more than 100 books/reports and 300 articles.
Other highlights include serving as a parent expert in the Mister Rogers Talks to Parents TV series; as child care expert on Dr. T. Berry Brazelton’s TV series What Every Baby Knows; being the elected President of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); and being elected to the National Academy of Human Resources. In 2018, the Work and Family Researchers Network established the ongoing Ellen Galinsky Generative Researcher Award. She holds a Master of Science degree in child development and education from Bank Street College of Education and a Bachelor of Arts degree in child study from Vassar College.
A popular keynote speaker, she has been a presenter at five White House Conferences, including the White House Conference on Teenagers in 2000. She has been featured regularly in the media, including appearances on Good Morning America, the Today Show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
President & Co-Founder, Families and Work InstitutePresident Work and Family Researchers NetworkAuthor The Breakthrough Years & Mind in the MakingSenior Research Advisor, AASACo-Director, Civic Science Center, University of MinnesotaFormer Chief Science Officer, Bezos Family FoundationConversation recorded on May 24, 2024.