Erin Clabough Ph.D.

Erin Clabough, Ph.D., is a neurobiologist, mother of four young children, and author of the book Second Nature: How Parents Can Use Neuroscience to Help Kids Develop Empathy, Creativity, and Self-Control. She received her Ph.D. in neuroscience/molecular genetics from the University of Virginia. She is currently an associate professor in the psychology department at the University of Virginia, and her research interests focused on understanding neurodevelopment across the lifespan.

Neuroscience provides a clear roadmap to raise a successful child who makes a positive difference in this world. Children need to learn self-regulation, a master life skill founded in empathy, creativity, and self-control. The lack of even one of these intertwined skills underlies nearly all of parenting problems. The good news is that we can build these strengths in children at any age, from infancy to adulthood. Practicing these skills requires a new mindset, but "second nature" parenting is low effort, high impact. It only takes a few minutes each day to nurture the skills kids need, simply by using everyday situations in a different way.

As such, Dr Clabough's writings promote the development of creativity, empathy, and self-control in children—three crucial and teachable life competencies that enable better decision-making, emotional regulation, self-reliance, and fulfillment. Second Nature provides parents basic neuroscience information and tools to be more effective at parenting our kids. The book fills a gap in parenting by teaching how neurons connect together and how simple practice can change brain connectivity. It examines the scientific literature to see what qualities happy, successful adults have and discusses how to cultivate those traits in our children. Second Nature is available on Amazon, at Barnes and Noble, local bookstores, or through the Indie Bound and Sounds True publisher websites.