'Smart but Scattered Teens: The "Executive Skills" Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential' book reviews
"Smart but Scattered Teens: The 'Executive Skills' Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential" is an invaluable resource for parents, educators, and anyone who works with adolescents. Authored by Dr. Richard Guare, Dr. Peg Dawson, and Colin Guare, this book delves into the often-overlooked realm of executive functioning—a set of cognitive processes that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control. These skills are crucial for managing time, paying attention, planning, and organizing, and the book offers a comprehensive guide to understanding and improving them.
One of the standout features of this book is its accessibility. Despite being grounded in rigorous research, the authors present the material in a way that is both engaging and easy to understand. They begin by explaining what executive skills are and why they are so important, offering relatable examples that make the concepts clear. For parents who may feel overwhelmed by the idea of tackling their teen's organizational challenges, this book provides a reassuring and practical roadmap.
The structure of "Smart but Scattered Teens" is another of its significant strengths. The authors have divided the book into three main sections: understanding executive skills, assessing a teen's strengths and weaknesses, and implementing strategies to enhance these skills. This logical progression ensures that readers are not only informed but also equipped with actionable steps to help their teens improve. Each chapter ends with a set of practical tools, such as checklists and worksheets, that make it easy to apply the concepts in real life.
One of the book's most compelling aspects is its focus on individualized strategies. The authors recognize that no two teens are alike, and they emphasize the importance of tailoring interventions to fit the unique needs of each adolescent. The book includes a detailed questionnaire that helps parents and teens identify specific areas of strength and weakness, allowing them to focus their efforts where they are most needed. This personalized approach makes the strategies more effective and manageable for both parents and teens.
The authors also do an excellent job of addressing common obstacles that parents and teens might encounter. For instance, they discuss how to handle resistance from teens who may not be enthusiastic about implementing new strategies. They offer practical advice on how to motivate teens and maintain their engagement over the long term. This focus on real-world challenges makes the book not just theoretical but genuinely useful.
Moreover, the book is filled with anecdotes and case studies that illustrate the principles and strategies in action. These stories provide a human element that makes the material more relatable and inspiring. Readers can see how other families have successfully navigated similar challenges, which can provide both hope and practical insights.
In conclusion, "Smart but Scattered Teens" is a must-read for anyone looking to help adolescents develop the executive skills they need to succeed. Its blend of theory, practical advice, and real-world examples makes it an outstanding resource. Whether you're a parent struggling to help your teen stay organized or a teacher looking for effective strategies to support your students, this book offers the tools and insights you need to make a meaningful difference.
- Fat Leonard: How One Man Bribed, Bilked, and Seduced the U.S. Navy
- Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years, 2nd Edition: Revised and Updated
- The Cost of Discipleship
- The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women
- Lord of the Flies: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
- Just Kids: An Autobiography
- On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century
- The Book of Five Rings: Deluxe Slipcase Edition (Arcturus Silkbound Classics, 22)
- Inward (The Inward Trilogy)
- Between the World and Me
- Polysecure: Attachment, Trauma and Consensual Nonmonogamy
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
- Poverty, by America
- A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles" (The Marianne Williamson Series)
- The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
- Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention—and How to Think Deeply Again
- Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
- A Grief Observed