TED2017
Helen Pearson: Lessons from the longest study on human development
海伦·皮尔森: 人类发展最长研究中的经验教训
Filmed:
Readability: 3.4
2,357,562 views
过去70年中，英国的科学家研究了成千万上的小孩的生活以找出为何有些小孩会健康快乐地成长，而另外一些小孩会过得很艰苦。这个世界上关于人类发展的最长期的研究中产生了一些这个星球上被研究得最透彻的人，并同时改变着我们生活、学习和养育儿女的方式。通过回顾这项伟大的研究，科学记者海伦·皮尔森为我们分享了一些关于生活与好的养育方式的重要发现和简单真理。
Helen Pearson - Science journalist, editor, author
Helen Pearson's book, "The Life Project," tells the extraordinary story of the longest-running study of human development in the world. Full bio
Helen Pearson's book, "The Life Project," tells the extraordinary story of the longest-running study of human development in the world. Full bio
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:13
Today I want to confess something to you,
0
1802
3324
今天我想跟你们坦白一些事情,
00:17
but first of all I'm going to ask you
a couple of questions.
a couple of questions.
1
5150
2895
但是首先我将要问你们一些问题。
00:20
How many people here have children?
2
8069
1753
在座的有多少已经有小孩了？
00:23
And how many of you are confident
3
11676
1578
你们中又有多少可以自信地说
00:25
that you know how
to bring up your children
to bring up your children
4
13278
2054
你知道如何完全正确地
00:27
in exactly the right way?
5
15356
1235
养育你的小孩？
00:28
(Laughter)
6
16615
3441
（笑声）
00:32
OK, I don't see too many hands
going up on that second one,
going up on that second one,
7
20080
3139
好的，我看第二个问题
没有多少人举手,
没有多少人举手,
而这也是我要坦白的。
00:35
and that's my confession, too.
8
23243
1547
00:36
I've got three boys;
9
24814
1251
我有三个儿子,
00:38
they're three, nine and 12.
10
26089
1807
他们分别是3岁、9岁和12岁。
00:39
And like you, and like most parents,
11
27920
2066
就像你，就像大多数父母一样,
00:42
the honest truth is I have
pretty much no idea what I'm doing.
pretty much no idea what I'm doing.
12
30010
2940
老实说我真的不知道我在做什么。
00:45
I want them to be
happy and healthy in their lives,
happy and healthy in their lives,
13
33649
2405
我希望他们生活得健康、快乐
00:48
but I don't know what I'm supposed to do
14
36078
1986
但是我不知道我应该怎么做
00:50
to make sure they are happy and healthy.
15
38088
2006
才能确保他们健康快乐。
00:52
There's so many books
offering all kinds of conflicting advice,
offering all kinds of conflicting advice,
16
40118
2977
市面上有很多提供
各种互相矛盾的建议的书籍，
各种互相矛盾的建议的书籍，
00:55
it can be really overwhelming.
17
43119
1536
真的是令人不知所措。
00:56
So I've spent most of their lives
just making it up as I go along.
just making it up as I go along.
18
44679
3096
所以大多数时间
我都是边摸索边抚养他们的。
我都是边摸索边抚养他们的。
01:01
However, something changed me
a few years ago,
a few years ago,
19
49034
3016
然而，几年前的一些事改变了我，
01:04
when I came across a little secret
that we have in Britain.
that we have in Britain.
20
52074
2798
那时我无意间发现了
我们英国的一个小秘密。
我们英国的一个小秘密。
01:07
It's helped me become more confident
about how I bring up my own children,
about how I bring up my own children,
21
55365
3481
它使我对于如何养育小孩
有了更多的自信，
有了更多的自信，
01:10
and it's revealed a lot about
how we as a society can help all children.
how we as a society can help all children.
22
58870
3409
它还揭露了作为一个社会整体，
我们该如何帮助所有的小孩。
我们该如何帮助所有的小孩。
01:14
I want to share that secret
with you today.
with you today.
23
62804
2178
今天我想跟你们分享这个秘密。
01:18
For the last 70 years,
24
66128
1937
在过去70年里，
01:20
scientists in Britain have been following
thousands of children through their lives
thousands of children through their lives
25
68089
4477
英国科学家跟踪调查了
成千上万小孩子的一生
成千上万小孩子的一生
01:24
as part of an incredible scientific study.
26
72590
2004
作为一项惊人的科学研究的一部分。
01:27
There's nothing quite like it
anywhere else in the world.
anywhere else in the world.
27
75471
2700
这世上没有另外一件
像这样的事情了。
像这样的事情了。
01:30
Collecting information
on thousands of children
on thousands of children
28
78912
2192
收集成千上万的小孩子的信息
01:33
is a really powerful thing to do,
29
81128
1573
真的是一件很厉害的事，
01:34
because it means we can compare
the ones who say,
the ones who say,
30
82725
2287
因为这意味着我们可以将那些
01:37
do well at school or end up healthy
or happy or wealthy as adults,
or happy or wealthy as adults,
31
85036
3410
在学校表现好或者
成年后变得健康、快乐或富有的小孩
成年后变得健康、快乐或富有的小孩
01:40
and the ones who struggle much more,
32
88470
1788
跟那些苦苦挣扎的小孩进行对比，
01:42
and then we can sift through
all the information we've collected
all the information we've collected
33
90282
3001
然后从收集到的信息中进行筛选
01:45
and try to work out why
their lives turned out different.
their lives turned out different.
34
93307
2900
试着去找出为什么
他们的生活会变得大不相同。
他们的生活会变得大不相同。
01:48
This British study --
it's actually a kind of crazy story.
it's actually a kind of crazy story.
35
96231
2956
这一项英国的研究——
事实上是一个疯狂的故事。
事实上是一个疯狂的故事。
01:51
So it all starts back in 1946,
36
99211
2405
它最初开始于1946年，
01:53
just a few months
after the end of the war,
after the end of the war,
37
101640
2241
也就在二战结束后的几个月
01:55
when scientists wanted to know
38
103905
1431
当时科学家想要知道
01:57
what it was like for a woman
to have a baby at the time.
to have a baby at the time.
39
105360
2795
在当时一个妇女
有了小孩会是怎样的。
有了小孩会是怎样的。
02:00
They carried out
this huge survey of mothers
this huge survey of mothers
40
108752
2407
他们对妈妈们进行了这项巨大的调查
02:03
and ended up recording the birth
of nearly every baby
of nearly every baby
41
111183
2945
并最终纪录下了
几乎所有在一个星期内
几乎所有在一个星期内
02:06
born in England, Scotland
and Wales in one week.
and Wales in one week.
42
114152
2563
出生在英格兰、苏格兰和
威尔士的小孩。
威尔士的小孩。
02:09
That was nearly 14,000 babies.
43
117127
2384
那是将近一万四千个小孩。
02:12
The questions they asked these women
44
120504
1763
他们当时问这些妇女的问题
跟我们今天要问的问题大不相同。
02:14
are very different than the ones
we might ask today.
we might ask today.
45
122291
2462
02:16
They sound really old-fashioned now.
46
124777
1726
这些问题现在看起来真的很守旧。
02:18
They asked them things like,
47
126527
1335
他们问的问题是像这样的：
02:19
"During pregnancy,
48
127886
1206
“在怀孕期间
02:21
did you get your full extra ration
of a pint of milk a day?"
of a pint of milk a day?"
49
129116
3109
你是否每天都得到了
额外配给的一品脱牛奶？”
额外配给的一品脱牛奶？”
02:25
"How much did you spend
on smocks, corsets,
on smocks, corsets,
50
133456
3318
“你在罩衫、紧身内衣
睡衣、短裤以及胸罩上
花了多少钱？”
花了多少钱？”
02:28
nightdresses, knickers and brassieres?"
51
136798
2919
02:32
And this is my favorite one:
52
140838
1567
而我最喜欢的是这一个：
02:34
"Who looked after your husband
while you were in bed with this baby?"
while you were in bed with this baby?"
53
142429
3252
“你跟小孩在床上的时候，
谁照顾你丈夫？”
谁照顾你丈夫？”
02:37
(Laughter)
54
145705
4519
(笑声）
02:42
Now, this wartime study
actually ended up being so successful
actually ended up being so successful
55
150248
3395
这项战争时代的研究最终非常成功，
02:45
that scientists did it again.
56
153667
1769
科学家后来又重新进行了这项研究。
02:47
They recorded the births
of thousands of babies born in 1958
of thousands of babies born in 1958
57
155460
3339
他们纪录下了成千上万的
出生于1958年的小孩
出生于1958年的小孩
02:50
and thousands more in 1970.
58
158823
1924
并且纪录下了更多出生于
1970年的小孩。
1970年的小孩。
02:53
They did it again in the early 1990s,
59
161096
2002
他们在上世纪90年代早期
又做了一次，
又做了一次，
02:55
and again at the turn of the millennium.
60
163122
2048
然后在千禧年前后又做了一次。
02:57
Altogether, more than 70,000 children
have been involved in these studies
have been involved in these studies
61
165194
3666
总共有超过七万个小孩
参与到了这项研究中来
参与到了这项研究中来
03:00
across those five generations.
62
168884
2013
横跨了五代人。
03:02
They're called the British birth cohorts,
63
170921
2191
他们被称为英国出生组群。
03:05
and scientists have gone back
and recorded more information
and recorded more information
64
173136
2763
科学家每隔几年会重访所有这些人
03:07
on all of these people
every few years ever since.
every few years ever since.
65
175923
2349
并收集纪录下更多的信息。
03:11
The amount of information
that's now been collected on these people
that's now been collected on these people
66
179091
3176
从这些人那里收集到的信息总量，
03:14
is just completely mind-boggling.
67
182291
1580
是完全不可想像的。
03:15
It includes thousands
of paper questionnaires
of paper questionnaires
68
183895
2190
它包含了数千份的调查问卷，
和巨量的电脑数据。
03:18
and terabytes' worth of computer data.
69
186109
1867
03:20
Scientists have also built up
a huge bank of tissue samples,
a huge bank of tissue samples,
70
188473
2826
科学家还建立了个巨大的标本数据库
03:23
which includes locks of hair,
nail clippings, baby teeth and DNA.
nail clippings, baby teeth and DNA.
71
191323
4480
里面存有头发、指甲、
婴儿的牙齿以及DNA。
婴儿的牙齿以及DNA。
03:28
They've even collected 9,000 placentas
from some of the births,
from some of the births,
72
196498
4555
他们从一些分娩中
收集了9000个胎盘，
收集了9000个胎盘，
03:33
which are now pickled in plastic buckets
in a secure storage warehouse.
in a secure storage warehouse.
73
201077
4314
这些胎盘现都储存塑料桶里，
存在个安全的储存室中。
存在个安全的储存室中。
03:38
This whole project has become unique --
74
206564
1896
这整个项目是独一无二的——
03:40
so, no other country in the world
is tracking generations of children
is tracking generations of children
75
208484
3336
这世上没有任何其它国家这么细致地
03:43
in quite this detail.
76
211844
1336
对几代小孩进行跟踪调查。
03:45
These are some of the best-studied
people on the planet,
people on the planet,
77
213769
3031
这是一些这个星球上
被研究得最透彻的人，
被研究得最透彻的人，
03:48
and the data has become
incredibly valuable for scientists,
incredibly valuable for scientists,
78
216824
3104
这些数据对科学家来说
有无可估量的价值，
有无可估量的价值，
03:51
generating well over 6,000
academic papers and books.
academic papers and books.
79
219952
3294
由此产生了超过6000篇的
学术论文和书籍。
学术论文和书籍。
03:56
But today I want to focus
on just one finding --
on just one finding --
80
224705
2859
但是今天，
我要关注的只是其中的一项发现——
我要关注的只是其中的一项发现——
03:59
perhaps the most important discovery
to come from this remarkable study.
to come from this remarkable study.
81
227588
4334
也许是这个伟大研究里最重要的
发现，
发现，
04:03
And it's also the one
that spoke to me personally,
that spoke to me personally,
82
231946
2338
它对于我个人来说也是挺有意义的，
04:06
because it's about how to use science
to do the best for our children.
to do the best for our children.
83
234308
3314
因为它是关于如何利用科学
去为孩子们做到最好的。
去为孩子们做到最好的。
04:10
So, let's get the bad news
out of the way first.
out of the way first.
84
238588
2797
首先我们来说一说坏消息。
04:14
Perhaps the biggest message
from this remarkable study is this:
from this remarkable study is this:
85
242206
3055
也许这个伟大研究发出的
最大的消息就是：
最大的消息就是：
04:18
don't be born into poverty
or into disadvantage,
or into disadvantage,
86
246137
3215
不要出生在贫穷落后的家庭，
04:21
because if you are,
87
249376
1214
因为如果你出身不好，
04:22
you're far more likely
to walk a difficult path in life.
to walk a difficult path in life.
88
250614
2685
你就更有可能走上一条
艰难的人生道路。
艰难的人生道路。
04:26
Many children in this study
were born into poor families
were born into poor families
89
254103
2882
这个研究中的许多小孩
都出生在住在狭窄的房子里，
都出生在住在狭窄的房子里，
04:29
or into working-class families that had
cramped homes or other problems,
cramped homes or other problems,
90
257009
4327
或者有其它各种问题的
贫困家庭或工人阶级家庭，
贫困家庭或工人阶级家庭，
04:33
and it's clear now
that those disadvantaged children
that those disadvantaged children
91
261360
2478
现在很清楚的一点是
这些处于劣势的小孩
这些处于劣势的小孩
04:35
have been more likely to struggle
on almost every score.
on almost every score.
92
263862
3092
更有可能在几乎每个方面中挣扎。
04:38
They've been more likely
to do worse at school,
to do worse at school,
93
266978
2350
他们可能在学校表现得更糟糕，
04:41
to end up with worse jobs
and to earn less money.
and to earn less money.
94
269352
2755
最终找一份更糟糕的工作
并赚更少的钱。
并赚更少的钱。
04:44
Now, maybe that sounds really obvious,
95
272131
2007
也许这些听起来像是明摆的事，
04:46
but some of the results
have been really surprising,
have been really surprising,
96
274162
2695
但是也有一些结果令人很吃惊，
04:48
so children who had a tough start in life
97
276881
1953
那些人生的起点就很艰苦的小孩
04:50
are also more likely to end up
unhealthy as adults.
unhealthy as adults.
98
278858
2504
也更可能在成年后
身体没有那么健康。
身体没有那么健康。
04:53
They're more likely to be overweight,
99
281725
1767
他们更可能超重，
04:55
to have high blood pressure,
100
283516
1335
患上高血压，
04:56
and then decades down the line,
101
284875
2093
然后几十年后，
04:58
more likely to have a failing memory,
poor health and even to die earlier.
poor health and even to die earlier.
102
286992
4373
更有可能记忆衰退、身体不佳
甚至死得更早。
甚至死得更早。
05:05
Now, I talked about what happens later,
103
293777
2913
我上面谈到的都是一些后期的影响，
05:08
but some of these differences emerge
at a really shockingly early age.
at a really shockingly early age.
104
296714
3317
但是有一些差异是在
一个令人震惊的早期就显现出来的。
一个令人震惊的早期就显现出来的。
05:12
In one study,
105
300401
1288
在其中的一个研究中，
05:13
children who were growing up in poverty
106
301713
1895
贫困家庭长大的小孩
05:15
were almost a year behind
the richer children on educational tests,
the richer children on educational tests,
107
303632
3861
在教育测试上要比
富裕家庭的小孩落后一年，
富裕家庭的小孩落后一年，
05:19
and that was by the age of just three.
108
307517
1914
而这还只是在他们3岁的时候。
05:22
These types of differences have been found
again and again across the generations.
again and again across the generations.
109
310499
3858
这种的差异在几代人之间
一次又一次的被发现。
一次又一次的被发现。
05:26
It means that our early circumstances
have a profound influence
have a profound influence
110
314381
3270
这意味着我们早期的生活环境
05:29
on the way that the rest
of our lives play out.
of our lives play out.
111
317675
2645
对我们的余生有着更深远的影响。
05:32
And working out why that is
112
320344
1430
而找出这其中的原因,
05:33
is one of the most difficult questions
that we face today.
that we face today.
113
321798
2820
是我们今天所面对的
最困难的问题之一。
最困难的问题之一。
05:37
So there we have it.
114
325833
1657
我们现在已经有答案了
05:39
The first lesson for successful life,
everyone, is this:
everyone, is this:
115
327514
2676
各位，获得成功人生的第一堂课是：
05:42
choose your parents very carefully.
116
330214
1856
小心地选择你的父母。
05:44
(Laughter)
117
332094
1001
（笑声）
05:45
Don't be born into a poor family
or into a struggling family.
or into a struggling family.
118
333119
3052
不要出生在一个贫困的家庭。
05:49
Now, I'm sure you can see
the small problem here.
the small problem here.
119
337369
2737
我敢肯定你们可以看出
这里的一个小问题，
这里的一个小问题，
05:52
We can't choose our parents
or how much they earn,
or how much they earn,
120
340130
3438
那就是我们不能选择父母或者
他们的收入水平，
他们的收入水平，
05:55
but this British study has also struck
a real note of optimism
a real note of optimism
121
343592
3229
但这项英国的研究通过展现不是所有
05:58
by showing that not everyone
who has a disadvantaged start
who has a disadvantaged start
122
346845
3351
出身卑微的人最终都陷入困境
06:02
ends up in difficult circumstances.
123
350220
2595
因此带来了希望。
06:05
As you know, many people
have a tough start in life,
have a tough start in life,
124
353346
2453
正如你所知道的，很多人出身贫苦
06:07
but they end up doing very well
on some measure nevertheless,
on some measure nevertheless,
125
355823
2859
然而最终在某些程度上来说
过得也不错，
过得也不错，
06:10
and this study starts to explain how.
126
358706
1791
而这个研究将要解释如何实现这个。
06:13
So the second lesson is this:
127
361337
2101
所以第二课是：
06:15
parents really matter.
128
363462
1825
父母真的很重要。
06:17
In this study,
129
365907
1151
在这项研究中，
06:19
children who had engaged,
interested parents,
interested parents,
130
367082
2118
那些拥有负责任、关心自己的
父母的小孩
父母的小孩
06:21
ones who had ambition for their future,
131
369224
2064
会对未来有野心，
06:23
were more likely to escape
from a difficult start.
from a difficult start.
132
371312
2834
并更可能从贫困的生活中逃离出来。
06:26
It seems that parents and what they do
are really, really important,
are really, really important,
133
374170
4025
看来父母以及他们的行为真的真的
很重要，
很重要，
06:30
especially in the first few years of life.
134
378219
2104
尤其是在孩子刚出生到几岁大
这段时间。
这段时间。
06:32
Let me give you an example of that.
135
380927
1668
让我来举个例子
06:34
In one study,
136
382619
1194
在一个研究中，
06:35
scientists looked at about 17,000 children
who were born in 1970.
who were born in 1970.
137
383837
4056
科学家调查了大约一万七千个出生在
1970年的小孩。
1970年的小孩。
06:40
They sifted all the mountains of data
that they had collected
that they had collected
138
388779
2947
他们筛选了收集到的海量信息
06:43
to try to work out
139
391750
1227
试图去找出
06:45
what allowed the children
who'd had a difficult start in life
who'd had a difficult start in life
140
393001
2881
是什么让这些出身贫苦的小孩
06:47
to go on and do well
at school nevertheless.
at school nevertheless.
141
395906
2123
能够坚持下去并在学校表现出色。
06:50
In other words, which ones beat the odds.
142
398053
2353
换句话说，
是什么让他们打败命运的魔咒。
是什么让他们打败命运的魔咒。
06:52
The data showed that what mattered
more than anything else was parents.
more than anything else was parents.
143
400430
3747
数据显示，
比任何事情都重要的就是父母
比任何事情都重要的就是父母
06:56
Having engaged, interested parents
in those first few years of life
in those first few years of life
144
404201
3598
从小拥有一个负责任、
关心孩子的父母
关心孩子的父母
06:59
was strongly linked to children going on
to do well at school later on.
to do well at school later on.
145
407823
3707
和孩子之后在学校表现好
有很强的联系。
有很强的联系。
07:04
In fact, quite small things
that parents do
that parents do
146
412238
2966
事实上，父母做的一些很小的事
07:07
are associated with good
outcomes for children.
outcomes for children.
147
415228
2478
就能对小孩产生一些好的影响。
07:10
Talking and listening to a child,
148
418370
1905
倾听他们说的，
07:12
responding to them warmly,
149
420299
1904
亲切地回应他们，
07:14
teaching them their letters and numbers,
150
422227
1968
教他们字母和数字，
07:16
taking them on trips and visits.
151
424219
1672
带他们去旅行。
07:17
Reading to children every day
seems to be really important, too.
seems to be really important, too.
152
425915
3017
每天为孩子们朗读故事
似乎也很重要。
似乎也很重要。
07:21
So in one study,
153
429504
1388
因此在一个研究中，
07:22
children whose parents were reading
to them daily when they were five
to them daily when they were five
154
430916
3287
那些父母在孩子五岁时
每天为他们朗读故事
每天为他们朗读故事
07:26
and then showing an interest
in their education at the age of 10,
in their education at the age of 10,
155
434227
3049
然后在孩子十岁时关心他们的教育
的小孩们
的小孩们
07:29
were significantly less likely
to be in poverty at the age of 30
to be in poverty at the age of 30
156
437300
4021
在30岁的时候变得贫穷的可能性
07:33
than those whose parents
weren't doing those things.
weren't doing those things.
157
441345
2592
明显比那些父母没有那样去做的小孩
要少得多。
要少得多。
07:37
Now, there are huge challenges
with interpreting this type of science.
with interpreting this type of science.
158
445111
4041
现在，在解释这门科学上
面临很大的挑战。
面临很大的挑战。
07:41
These studies show
that certain things that parents do
that certain things that parents do
159
449681
2655
这些研究表明父母做的某些事情
07:44
are correlated with good
outcomes for children,
outcomes for children,
160
452360
2362
跟孩子以后能有一个好的结果是
相关联的，
相关联的，
07:46
but we don't necessarily know
those behaviors caused the good outcomes,
those behaviors caused the good outcomes,
161
454746
3413
但是我们未必知道是
这些行为导致了好的结果
这些行为导致了好的结果
07:50
or whether some other factor
is getting in the way.
is getting in the way.
162
458183
2382
或者是否还有其它的因素
在妨碍这种结果。
在妨碍这种结果。
07:52
For example, we have to take
genes into account,
genes into account,
163
460589
2245
例如，我们需要也考虑基因的影响，
07:54
and that's a whole other talk in itself.
164
462858
2147
但这个它本身就值得另外一个演讲。
07:57
But scientists working
with this British study
with this British study
165
465489
2223
进行这项英国研究的科学家
07:59
are working really hard to get at causes,
166
467736
2166
很努力地在寻找原因，
08:01
and this is one study I particularly love.
167
469926
2021
而这也是我个人特别喜爱的
一个研究。
一个研究。
08:03
In this one,
168
471971
1182
在这个研究中，
08:05
they looked at the bedtime routines
of about 10,000 children
of about 10,000 children
169
473177
2867
他们观察了大约一万个出生在
千禧年的小孩
千禧年的小孩
08:08
born at the turn of the millennium.
170
476068
1792
的睡眠时间规律。
08:09
Were the children going to bed
at regular times,
at regular times,
171
477884
2329
这些孩子是在固定的时间睡觉，
还是在一星期中每天的睡眠时间
都不一样？
都不一样？
08:12
or did they go to bed
at different times during the week?
at different times during the week?
172
480237
2898
08:15
The data showed that those children
who were going to bed at different times
who were going to bed at different times
173
483159
3573
数据显示那些不按规定时间睡觉的
小孩
小孩
08:18
were more likely
to have behavioral problems,
to have behavioral problems,
174
486756
2373
更有可能出现行为问题。
08:21
and then those that switched
to having regular bedtimes
to having regular bedtimes
175
489153
2709
然后那些不按时睡觉的小孩
变成按时睡觉后
变成按时睡觉后
08:23
often showed an improvement in behavior,
176
491886
2386
经常会在行为上有所改善，
08:26
and that was really crucial,
177
494296
1356
这真的很重要，
08:27
because it suggested
it was the bedtime routines
it was the bedtime routines
178
495676
2272
因为它表明睡眠时间规律
08:29
that were really helping things
get better for those kids.
get better for those kids.
179
497972
2715
真的能够帮助这些小孩表现更好。
08:33
Here's another one to think about.
180
501261
1621
这里还有另外一个需要去思考的
研究。
研究。
08:34
In this one,
181
502906
1158
在这个研究中，
08:36
scientists looked at children
who were reading for pleasure.
who were reading for pleasure.
182
504088
2891
科学家观察了那些
为快乐而阅读的孩子
为快乐而阅读的孩子
08:39
That means that they picked up
a magazine, a picture book, a story book.
a magazine, a picture book, a story book.
183
507003
4053
也就是说他们经常拿起一本杂志、
画册、故事书。
画册、故事书。
08:43
The data showed that children
who were reading for pleasure
who were reading for pleasure
184
511806
2773
数据显示那些5到10岁的
08:46
at the ages of five and 10
185
514603
2260
为快乐而阅读的孩子，
08:48
were more likely to go on in school
better, on average,
better, on average,
186
516887
2896
通常来说更可能在学校
有着更好的表现
有着更好的表现
08:51
on school tests later in their lives.
187
519807
1971
在学校的测试成绩也会更好。
08:53
And not just tests of reading,
188
521802
1705
而且不仅仅是阅读方面的测试，
08:55
but tests of spelling and maths as well.
189
523531
2140
还包括过拼写以及数学测试。
08:58
This study tried to control
for all the confounding factors,
for all the confounding factors,
190
526505
2810
这个研究试图控制所有的干扰因素,
09:01
so it looked at children
who were equally intelligent
who were equally intelligent
191
529339
2484
因此它是观察了同等智力水平
09:03
and from the same social-class background,
192
531847
2032
并来自相同社会阶级背景的小孩，
09:05
so it seemed as if it was the reading
which really helped those children
which really helped those children
193
533903
3383
所以看起来似乎是阅读
真的帮助了这些孩子
真的帮助了这些孩子
09:09
go on and score better on those
school tests later in their lives.
school tests later in their lives.
194
537310
3143
在以后的学校测试中
取得更好的成绩。
取得更好的成绩。
09:13
Now at the start,
195
541777
1150
开始的时候，
09:14
I said the first lesson from this study
196
542951
1949
我说过从这个研究中学到的第一课
09:16
was not to be born into poverty
or into disadvantage,
or into disadvantage,
197
544924
2548
是不要出生在一个贫穷落后的家庭。
09:19
because those children tend to follow
more difficult paths in their lives.
more difficult paths in their lives.
198
547496
3552
因为这些孩子容易走上一条
更艰难的生活道路。
更艰难的生活道路。
09:23
But then I said that parenting matters,
199
551072
2237
但是后来我又说了父母很重要，
09:25
and that good parenting,
if you can call it that,
if you can call it that,
200
553333
2302
好的养育方式，如果你觉得这就够了，
09:27
helps children beat the odds
201
555659
1336
能帮助孩子打破命运的魔咒
09:29
and overcome some
of those early disadvantages.
of those early disadvantages.
202
557019
2803
并且克服部分早期的劣势。
09:31
So wait,
203
559846
1325
等一下,
09:33
does that actually mean, then,
that poverty doesn't matter after all?
that poverty doesn't matter after all?
204
561195
3344
这是否就意味着贫穷
只是一件无关紧要的事？
只是一件无关紧要的事？
09:38
You could argue it doesn't matter
if a child is born poor --
if a child is born poor --
205
566216
3012
你可以说它无关紧要，
如果一个小孩出身贫穷——
如果一个小孩出身贫穷——
09:41
as long as their parents are good parents,
they're going to do just fine.
they're going to do just fine.
206
569252
3721
只要他们的父母是称职的，
他们也会过得好。
他们也会过得好。
09:44
I don't believe that's true.
207
572997
1407
但是我不相信这种说法。
09:46
This study shows that poverty
and parenting matter.
and parenting matter.
208
574428
2511
研究表明贫穷和养育方式都对孩子
影响很大。
影响很大。
09:49
And one study actually
put figures on that,
put figures on that,
209
577438
2000
事实上有一个研究对此进行了
量化对比，
量化对比，
09:51
so it looked at children
growing up in persistent poverty
growing up in persistent poverty
210
579462
2699
它观察了那些在长期穷困的家庭
长大的孩子
长大的孩子
09:54
and how well they were doing at school.
211
582185
2069
以及他们在学校的表现。
09:56
The data showed
212
584596
1151
数据表明，
09:57
that even when their parents
were doing everything right --
were doing everything right --
213
585771
2856
即便他们的父母正确的做了
每一件事——
每一件事——
10:00
putting them to bed on time
214
588651
1302
督促他们按时睡觉
10:01
and reading to them every day
and everything else --
and everything else --
215
589977
2437
每天给他们朗读等等——
10:04
that only got those children so far.
216
592438
1833
也只能帮孩子到这样。
10:06
Good parenting only reduced
the educational gap
the educational gap
217
594610
2969
好的育儿方式也只能将
富孩子和穷孩子
富孩子和穷孩子
10:09
between the rich and poor children
by about 50 percent.
by about 50 percent.
218
597603
3013
之间的教育差距缩小一半。
10:13
Now that means that poverty
leaves a really lasting scar,
leaves a really lasting scar,
219
601472
4151
那意味着贫穷会留下一个
持续的创伤,
持续的创伤,
10:17
and it means that if we really want
to ensure the success and well-being
to ensure the success and well-being
220
605647
3382
也意味着如果我们真的想要确保
下一代
下一代
10:21
of the next generation,
221
609053
1437
能够成功并且幸福,
10:22
then tackling child poverty
is an incredibly important thing to do.
is an incredibly important thing to do.
222
610514
3888
那么消除儿童贫困就是一件
非常重要的事情。
非常重要的事情。
10:27
Now, what does all this mean
for you and me?
for you and me?
223
615882
2388
所有这些对你和我来说
又意味着什么呢？
又意味着什么呢？
10:30
Are there lessons here
we can all take home and use?
we can all take home and use?
224
618294
2430
我们能从这学到什么并为我所用吗？
10:32
As a scientist and a journalist,
225
620748
1530
作为一个科学家和记者，
10:34
I like to have some science
to inform my parenting ...
to inform my parenting ...
226
622302
2548
我想用一些科学来报告
我的育儿经验
我的育儿经验
10:37
and I can tell you that when
you're shouting at your kids
you're shouting at your kids
227
625912
2757
我可以告诉你，
当你对你的孩子大喊着
当你对你的孩子大喊着
10:40
to go to bed on time,
228
628693
1260
让他们按时睡觉时，
10:41
it really helps to have
the scientific literature on your side.
the scientific literature on your side.
229
629977
3032
知道科学数据可以帮助你很多。
10:45
(Laughter)
230
633033
1019
（笑声）
10:46
And wouldn't it be great to think
231
634076
1603
如果我们只需要跟孩子交谈、
关心他们的未来
关心他们的未来
10:47
that all we had to do to have
happy, successful children
happy, successful children
232
635703
2709
让他们按时睡觉、给他们书去阅读
10:50
was to talk to them,
be interested in their future,
be interested in their future,
233
638436
2699
就能让他们快乐、成功，
10:53
put them to bed on time,
and give them a book to read?
and give them a book to read?
234
641159
2574
这难道不是想想就让人很高兴的事吗？
我们的工作完成了。
10:55
Our job would be done.
235
643757
1150
10:57
Now, as you can imagine,
236
645369
1469
正如你能想像得到的，
10:58
the answers aren't quite
as simple as that.
as simple as that.
237
646862
3209
答案不止这么简单。
11:02
For one thing, this study
looks at what happens
looks at what happens
238
650095
2191
首先，这项研究调查了
11:04
to thousands and thousands
of children on average,
of children on average,
239
652310
2421
成千上万的普通小孩，
11:06
but that doesn't necessarily say
what will help my child or your child
what will help my child or your child
240
654755
3598
但这未必就能帮助我的或你的小孩，
11:10
or any individual child.
241
658377
1737
或任何其他的单个小孩。
11:12
In the end, each of our children
is going to walk their own path,
is going to walk their own path,
242
660138
3208
最终，每个小孩都有自己的路要走，
11:15
and that's partly defined
by the genes they inherit
by the genes they inherit
243
663370
2579
而那条路部分取决于
他们所继承的基因
他们所继承的基因
11:17
and of course all the experiences
they have through their lives,
they have through their lives,
244
665973
3001
当然，还有就是他们生活中的经历，
11:20
including their interactions
with us, their parents.
with us, their parents.
245
668998
2452
包括他们与身为父母的我们的互动。
11:23
I will tell you what I did
after I learned all this.
after I learned all this.
246
671474
2455
告诉你们，我在知道所有这些后
所做的事。
所做的事。
11:25
It's a bit embarrassing.
247
673953
1150
那真的是有点尴尬。
11:27
I realized I was so busy working,
248
675952
2473
我意识到我太忙于工作了，
11:30
and ironically,
249
678449
1159
而讽刺的是，
11:31
learning and writing about this incredible
study of British children,
study of British children,
250
679632
3584
在学习和撰写这个关于英国小孩的
伟大研究时，
伟大研究时，
11:35
that there were days when I hardly
even spoke to my own British children.
even spoke to my own British children.
251
683240
3458
有好多天我都难得跟我自己的
英国小孩说话。
英国小孩说话。
11:39
So at home, we introduced talking time,
252
687446
2254
所以我们在家里引入了谈话时间，
11:41
which is just 15 minutes
at the end of the day
at the end of the day
253
689724
2144
也就是在每天睡觉前的15分钟里，
11:43
when we talk and listen to the boys.
254
691892
2166
我们会跟男孩子们交谈。
11:46
I try better now to ask them
what they did today,
what they did today,
255
694707
3311
我比以前更努力地问他们
今天做了什么，
今天做了什么，
11:50
and to show that I value
what they do at school.
what they do at school.
256
698042
2331
并向他们表明我很重视
他们在学校的表现。
他们在学校的表现。
11:52
Of course, I make sure
they always have a book to read.
they always have a book to read.
257
700985
2642
当然，我会确保他们随时
有一本可以阅读的书。
有一本可以阅读的书。
11:55
I tell them I'm ambitious
for their future,
for their future,
258
703651
2245
我告诉他们我对他们的未来
充满期望,
充满期望,
11:57
and I think they can be happy
and do great things.
and do great things.
259
705920
3160
我认为他们能快乐
并做出了不起的事。
并做出了不起的事。
12:02
I don't know that any of that
will make a difference,
will make a difference,
260
710009
2782
我不知道我做的这些是否对他们
有影响，
有影响，
12:04
but I'm pretty confident
it won't do them any harm,
it won't do them any harm,
261
712815
2390
但是我很相信至少不会对他们
造成伤害，
造成伤害，
12:07
and it might even do them some good.
262
715229
1731
甚至可能对他们有一些帮助。
12:09
Ultimately, if we want happy children,
263
717735
2844
最后，如果我们想要孩子们快乐
12:12
all we can do is listen to the science,
264
720603
2040
我们所能做的就是听信科学，
12:14
and of course,
265
722667
1166
当然，
12:15
listen to our children themselves.
266
723857
1826
还有就是聆听孩子们的声音。
12:17
Thank you.
267
725707
1154
谢谢。
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Helen Pearson - Science journalist, editor, authorHelen Pearson's book, "The Life Project," tells the extraordinary story of the longest-running study of human development in the world.
Why you should listen
In March 1946, scientists began tracking almost every British baby born in a single week. What they discovered would change how we are born, grow up, raise children, live and die. Helen Pearson's 2016 book, The Life Project, is the story of this incredible project and the remarkable discoveries that have come from it. It was named best science book of the year by The Observer and was a book of the year for The Economist.
As Chief Magazine Editor for the world’s leading science journal, Nature, Pearson oversees all its journalism and opinion content. Her own stories have won accolades including the 2010 Wistar Institute Science Journalism Award and two best feature awards from the Association of British Science Writers.
Helen Pearson | Speaker | TED.com