Book Suggestion

In the spring I finished reading a book that I believe is a good resource.  It was a book I had seen as a suggestion from two authors that I respect (Paul Tough of "How Children Succeed "and Sir Kenneth Robinson of "The Element" and "Creative Schools").

(image taken from Amazon.com.)

"The Self-Driven Child: the Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives" by William Stixrud Phd, and Ned Johnson is an easy to read book on how to help our children develop a better sense of agency in their own lives.  Both of the authors noticed that many students had the same problem. They were acutely stressed, lacked in motivation, and complained about having no control over their own lives.  This was noticed in young children, school aged, and in college students.  Even students frequently labeled as "high achieving" had profiles that are more commonly found in those from more traumatized backgrounds.   

This book offers practical advice that extends to many different stages of child development. The authors use their experience as a neurologist and instructional tutor to offer suggestions on how to increase the kinds of choices that children have to ensure that they are better prepared, happier, and more independent.  

This book has been in the press a lot recently.  NPR did an article with the authors that can be found HERE.

You can also listen to an NPR radio program on the book and topic HERE.