Child 3. Surprise
Nov 26, 2025
Emily Oster, an economics professor and data-driven parenting author, shares insights on potty training and the emotional surprises it brings for parents. Karen Walker, a psychology associate professor, explores how surprise stimulates curiosity, pushing children into their optimal learning zone. Shaddai Tembo highlights how workforce diversity in early education introduces children to unexpected encounters, broadening their perspectives. Together, they discuss the vital role of surprise in fostering resilience, adaptability, and deeper understanding in young learners.
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Surprise Is Expectation Violation
- Surprise depends on violated expectations rather than mere novelty.
- Robert Hepa explains surprise triggers belief updates and social understanding in children.
Parent Demonstrates Potty Use
- India Rakusen recounts demonstrating using the potty to help her child understand toilet use.
- The simple acted demonstration underscored how kids learn bodily routines by observation.
Tailor Potty Training To The Child
- Expect big individual differences in potty training timing and challenges like withholding poop.
- Emily Oster recommends tailoring approach and notes constipation is the main medical risk to watch for.
