Recent studies reveal that children are experiencing anxiety levels comparable to psychiatric patients from the 1950s. Our kids aren’t just ‘stressed’. They’re operating at crisis levels – and traditional parenting approaches aren’t built for this reality, says Loren Lachman.
Despite having more resources and opportunities than previous generations, today’s children are paralysed by perfectionism, fear of failure, and chronic comparison.
“We’re seeing brilliant children with infinite potential operating at 20% capacity – not because they lack ability, but because they’ve never learnt how their brains actually work,” says Lachman, POP mindset developer and mother of three.
“Make Your Brain POP offers parents a neuroscience-based approach to rewiring their children’s mindset for success and gives children the tools to transform anxiety into agency, fear into fuel, and obstacles into opportunities.”
The 3 POP pillars of human potential: Where science meets simplicity
Based on cutting-edge neuroscience research, the POP methodology teaches three critical mindsets:
- Power: The ability to believe in your potential and rewire your brain for growth.
- Optimism: Seeing possibilities where others see problems.
- Perseverance: Building resilience through challenge, not despite it.
The book translates complex brain science into practical strategies that even 6-year-olds can understand and apply, while giving parents the language to reinforce growth mindset at home.
Real results for real families
Early readers report dramatic shifts:
“My 9-year-old went from school refusal to school enthusiasm in six weeks” – Durban mother
“My teenager replaced ‘I’m stupid’ with ‘I’m learning’ – that change saved her matric year” – Cape Town father
“Travelling a long distance to school used to trigger meltdowns. Now my kids see it as ‘adventure time’ to practise their POP” – Johannesburg parent
Beyond the book
Lachman will launch a nationwide school tour in February, coinciding with an Exclusive Books feature, offering POP talks to parents, educators and professionals.
“The POP framework works across all ages because the neuroscience is universal,” she explains.
Currently, Lachman delivers transformative POP workshops to three distinct audiences:
- Parents: 2 x 1.5 hour ParentPOP masterclasses on rewiring children’s mindset for possibility.
- Teachers: 2 x 1.5 hour TeachersPOP deep dives into classroom neuroscience and growth mindset strategies.
- Corporates: The ProsPOP Masterclass, helping teams unlock their collective potential through the same neuroscience principles.
The initiative aims to reach 10 000 South African families in the last quarter of 2026.
“We can’t medicate our way out of this mindset crisis,” Lachman emphasises. “But we can literally rewire both our own and our children’s brains for possibility. When children understand that their thoughts create their reality, everything changes.”
Availability
Make Your Brain POP is now available through the website and at all Exclusive Books stores nationwide, priced at R260. The book includes a parent’s guide to reinforcing POP at home, with age-appropriate exercises and stories ‘brain pops’ for ages 4–18.
