Happy Wednesday,

We’re finally getting a “part time” nanny. Up until now, my wife and I have managed taking care of our daughter without any outside help. Neither of our families live nearby and the daycare we loved didn’t have any openings until 2025 (not a typo). As of February, we’re going to have a nanny helping us every Monday (the day we tend to have the most work meetings). While it’s incredible to think about the money we’ve saved by bouncing her back and forth while juggling work, it’s also nice to know that we’re going to have a day where we can “get sh!t done.”

What has your childcare experience been like?

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One Big Idea

Why Dinosaurs Might Be the Key to Higher Intelligence

One of the fascinating phenomena that stands out for parents is that at some point, many children develop an intense interest in dinosaurs (whether that’s due to a nightly reading of the book Dinosnores is tbd). Turns out that this passion, which often kicks in between the age of 2 and 6, should not be thought of as just another phase of childhood fantasy, but instead as a powerful cognitive tool. For instance, when children develop an obsession with the stegosaurus or velociraptor, they’re showcasing a deep, self-driven engagement in learning. These pint-sized paleontologists, with their ability to recite intricate dinosaur names and facts, are not just showcasing a cute party trick; they are actively enhancing their cognitive abilities. This obsession boosts their knowledge, attention span, and deepens their information-processing skills. It's a form of play that mirrors the adult process of specialization and mastery, laying the groundwork for future learning and intellectual development.

On the flip side, the decline of the dinosaur obsession, which often stems from the structured and diverse learning environments of schools, shouldn't be seen as a loss but as a natural progression. As kids grow, their world expands beyond the prehistoric to encompass a broader range of interests and social interactions. This shift is a healthy part of development, but the benefits of their early intense interests continue to echo throughout their lives. Kids who indulge in such deep dives are often found to be of above-average intelligence in later years. Hence, a child's preoccupation with dinosaurs is not just an adorable phase; it's a building block for their intellectual future.

Here’s a dad joke

What did the janitor say when he jumped out of the closet?

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer!

Time(out) for Memes