The Family Firm audiobook cover - A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years

The Family Firm

A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years

Emily Oster

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Health & NutritionParenting

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The Family Firm
Parenting Approach+
Sleep+
Parental Work+
Diet & Nutrition+
Parenting Styles+
Education & Schools+
Extracurriculars & Sports+
Screen Time+
Family Routine+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What did a 2010 meta-analysis reveal as the biggest predictor of a child's academic performance regarding sleep?
  • A. The exact number of hours the child sleeps per night
  • B. The consistency of the child's bedtime routine
  • C. The child's levels of daytime sleepiness
  • D. The absence of digital screens in the child's bedroom
Question 2 of 8
According to the data, how does a mother working outside the home generally affect her children's academic performance?
  • A. It has a large negative effect across all income levels due to a lack of parental supervision.
  • B. It improves academic performance significantly for boys but has no measurable effect on girls.
  • C. It causes a uniform increase in grades for all children regardless of socioeconomic status.
  • D. It has a small positive effect for low-income families and a small negative effect for high-income families.
Question 3 of 8
What does the research suggest is the most effective way to get children to enjoy eating vegetables?
  • A. Disguising the vegetables in foods the child already likes
  • B. Repeatedly exposing them to the vegetables over time
  • C. Offering a small reward or dessert for finishing their vegetables
  • D. Explaining the long-term health benefits of the food to them
Question 4 of 8
While 'helicopter parenting' can improve grades for younger children, what is a potential downside as children reach college age?
  • A. They are more likely to drop out of college in their first year.
  • B. They become overly rebellious and engage in high-risk behaviors.
  • C. They tend to have higher levels of anxiety and depression and are less engaged with peers.
  • D. They suffer from significantly lower academic performance compared to their peers.
Question 5 of 8
Based on lottery system data, what was the observed outcome for children who attended charter schools compared to public schools?
  • A. They showed a boost in academic performance roughly equivalent to six IQ points.
  • B. They had better social skills but slightly lower standardized test scores.
  • C. They performed identically to public school students in all academic areas.
  • D. They had lower rates of teenage pregnancy but no significant academic improvement.
Question 6 of 8
Which of the following is an accurate finding regarding the relationship between children's sports and obesity?
  • A. Participating in sports completely safeguards children against gaining too much weight.
  • B. Extracurricular sports are the most effective known intervention for reducing childhood obesity.
  • C. Children who play sports eat significantly less junk food than non-athletes.
  • D. Children who play certain sports, like American football, are actually more likely to be overweight.
Question 7 of 8
While the data on screen time is often mixed, what is one firm negative conclusion drawn by researchers?
  • A. Screen time directly causes aggressive behavior in the vast majority of children.
  • B. Looking at screens in the two hours before bedtime negatively affects sleep quality.
  • C. Watching television lowers a child's IQ over time.
  • D. Over 50 percent of children who play video games develop a clinical addiction.
Question 8 of 8
What is a proven benefit of having daily family dinners, according to the final summary?
  • A. Children develop a more advanced palate for diverse and healthy foods.
  • B. Children require less sleep to function well at school.
  • C. Children are much less likely to consume alcohol or use tobacco.
  • D. Children are statistically guaranteed to get into better colleges.

The Family Firm — Full Chapter Overview

The Family Firm Summary & Overview

The Family Firm (2021) explores the latest research on pre-teen child development. It explains how parents can make data-driven decisions on important parenting decisions like a child’s school, bedtime, diet, and extracurricular schedule.

Who Should Listen to The Family Firm?

  • Parents of children ages five to twelve
  • Educators looking for a fresh perspective
  • Psychology buffs seeking new insights

About the Author: Emily Oster

Emily Oster is an economist and bestselling author. She is a Professor of Economics at Brown University and holds a PhD from Harvard University. Her previous book, Expecting Better, explores a data-driven approach to decision-making during pregnancy.

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