Reviews (2)

Worth a look
First I must say that I am not a fan of Dr. Phil so I know very little of this author's reputation. (I not an 'anti-fan' of Dr. Phil either, just not big on TV)
Not sure about this one
I think that this book is a good teaching tool for all these parents who want to prepare their children to score high in the IQ test. But when you think of that carefully, doesn't this defeat the idea of your intelligence being measurable by IQ tests? If you can improve the score by preparing yourself to the test that means that the test does not really measure your intelligence, but only your ability to score high on the test. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Assessment, Testing & Measurement    2. Brain    3. Child Development    4. Child Development And Rearing    5. Education    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Intellect    10. Intelligence Testing    11. Parenting - General    12. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (96)

Not What I Expected as Advertised
I ordered this book after reading the rave reviews and the who's who of public school using this format.Nowhere is it advertised or even mentioned that this is a Christian book, espousing Christian dogma and assumptions.I'm surprised this is acceptable for use by Government funded public schools.Furthermore, there is a lot of non-scientific rhetoric in the book that eschews logical debate and exposition.I'm very disappointed and consider this to be false advertising.
Works For A Mom Of 8
I have 8 kids, ages 1 though 18.I read this book 6 years ago when I was dealing with 2 year old twins and found it to be very helpful. Since then I have recommended it to many people.Anything that can help mom stay calm and sane when dealing with challenging behaviors is a real winner in my book!

excellent book
Practical and easy to use. Good thoughts that seem easy to put into action. Good way to teach today's children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Parenting    3. Developmental - Child    4. Education    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family Relationships    7. Parent and child    8. Parenting    9. Parenting - Child Rearing    10. Parenting - General    11. Religion - Marriage & Family    12. Responsibility in children   

Reviews (2)

One of two great books for stressed out parents
As parents who have seen many of our friends completely lose perspective as their kids apply to college, my wife and decided that we would not go down that road when our time came. Forget all the books that imply they will get your child into a "brand name" school. It's about discovering together a place where they can grow, and strenghtening your relationshipas you launch them toward their future. In the name of sanity, I recommend this book (and also a great one our own pediatrician recommended, "Getting In Without Freaking Out.") Stop hovering -- start helping your kids by not imposing your agenda.

An essential book for parents of high school students
As a pediatrician and the mother of a senior, I see the unhealthy stress that my patients and some classmates of my son go through during high school, particularly during their senior year. This essential book for every high school parent will give them new models for guiding their child to healthy success.Rather than defining success for your high school student as getting into a college ranked high by a magazine, parents will learn how to help their child define and reach their own goals. For those who choose college, they need a parent's help to find the right match --- a school that allows them to grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Development And Rearing    2. College Entrance    3. College Guides    4. Education    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Parenting - General    8. Parents And Education    9. Reference    10. Adolescent children    11. Advice on education    12. Study Aids / College Guides   

Reviews (25)

See Your Son or Your Students Here
The library at the college where I work puts out a list of new books they have purchased in our area once per month, and this book was on the psychology list back in January.I thought it looked interesting and picked it up then, thinking it might have some good things to say about a book I'm writing about men and depression.I finally picked it up and started reading it last week, and finished it in less than a week.I really enjoyed the authors' styles of writing which made some of the technical information more accessible and easier to understand, which to me means it would be a great resource for students studying education and for parents of boys of all ages.
A teacher's review
More informative than 'Boys and Girls Learn Differently,' 'The Minds of Boys' is a fascinating look into the specific reasons why boys are doing so poorly in school nowadays. Very, very awfulif you did not know - Boys are the overwhelming majority of special education students, are more likely to drop out, and are much less likely to attend college.
A needed step forward for boys:
I really sympathize with Michael Gurian.I felt much the same way about the failures of the industrialized education system in the 1950s that he described a couple of decades later.It's set up to fail boys, and has gotten worse over the past several decades as men teachers have been driven out.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Academic achievement    2. Boys    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Developmental - Child    5. Education    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Parenting - General    9. Psychology    10. Sex differences in education    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting    12. Men's studies    13. Organization & management of education   

Reviews (3)

Great book for parents
My thoughts: Its well written-not verbose at all, each chapter is to the point with great suggestions. His points are based recent on scientific studies and are not from glossed over like many writers do who don't fully comprehend the research. the "mozart effect" is a perfect example. He tells you the limits of what the research shows, eg Dont plunck the kid in front of the stereo all day because thats not going to do much.
Valuable Information for Parents
Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten is perhaps the most comprehensive book I've ever seen relating to enhancing our children's intelligence and paving the way for their future success. Dr. Perlmutter, a neurologist, not only provides the activities, lifestyle recommendations anf nutritional information to build a better brain, but he goes so far as to claim that as many as 30 IQ points are up for grabs and provides the hard core science to back it up. He shows us not only how to treat ADHD without medication, but more importantly, how we can easily prevent it in the first place. His unique schedule for immunizations is especially helpful. This is very important read for all parents and future parents.

A book that promotes creavitiy and skills development early in life
"Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten: Build a Better Brain and Increase IQ by up to 30 points" by David Md Perlmutter is a pretty good book which promotes creativity, skills development, and it reinforces common knowledge directed towards improving a child's mental skills prior to the elementary school years. Perlmutter provides readers with a list of tools that they can use specifically towards these purposes and advises against common pitfalls, such as excessive television viewing and video game playing. There are games that he offers which are geared towards improving skills development and he even speaks to advice that child rearers can use to ward off enemies of the brain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brain    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Child Development    4. Child Development And Rearing    5. Children    6. Diseases    7. Education    8. Family & Relationships    9. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    10. Intellect    11. Intelligence    12. Intelligence levels    13. Nutritional aspects    14. Parenting - Child Rearing    15. Parenting - General    16. Advice on parenting    17. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (4)

Well written with practical solutions
My son was recently diagnosed with Aspergers so I purchased many books on the subject to better help him.This book by far offers the most practical solutions to everyday school issues.Reading about theories and studies is helpful up to a point but as a parent I needed hands on solutions to common problems and this book provided many options that have worked for my son.

Maybe I'm Singing to the Choir!
I haven't found anyone who hasn't found this book incredibly valuable. I have bought at least four of them because my friends keep "borrowing" them and somehow don't manage to get them back to me. It is such a helpful book that lays out point by point how our kids experience elementary school, their various challenges and how to deal with them. Any parent who is actively involved with their child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder or Asperger Syndrome should have this book as a reference. And every elementary school teacher working with our AS kids should read it too!

Every AS parent should have one of these
Since my son's diagnosis at the end of first grade, I've been purchasing book after book, trying to educate myself.The realities of being a parent of an AS child means that you have to educate, not only yourself, but your child's teachers.This book is a great way to go about it.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asperger's syndrome    2. Autistic children    3. Education    4. Education (Elementary)    5. Education / Teaching    6. Elementary    7. Philosophy & Social Aspects    8. Special Education - Socially Handicapped   

Reviews (24)

Educational Mom
I love this book!I have my degree in Elementary Education and spent 3 years teaching - 2 of those in Kindergarten.I have seen how many times even the best intentions do not allow the time for covering EVERYTHING you would love to expose the children with when they are in your classroom.
Looking at the table of contents...
Flipping through I noticed an error that raised a red flag--the book calls hieroglyphs "Hieroglyphics".Hieroglyphic is an adjective, not a noun, unless it refers to the entire writing method:"they carved hieroglychics" is, for example, wrong.And hieroglyphs are NOT picture writing--they are 90%+ alphabetic and syllabic.Based on such a sloppy error (plus the one I note below) that was so eaily found, I would approach the history portion of this book with caution.
Whole series is a bit off.
As a former teacher and current homeschooler, I find that much of the material in the early levels of this series are not appropriate for the grade levels indicated.I use the books as references but not usually at the grade indicated by the title of the book. The history sections are especially inappropriate. Children at these early grade levels do not have enough background knowledge (i.e., comprehension of the passage of time and the geography of the earth in relation to their own place in it) to fully understand the material presented. Thus, they are very unlikely to retain the knowledge or to apply it meaningfully to other areas of study. Parents trying to stick to these grade levels are bound to be frustrated. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Curricula    2. Curriculum planning    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Elementary    6. Elementary education    7. First grade (Education)    8. Parent Participation    9. United States    10. Education / General   

Subjects:  1. Activity programs    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family/Marriage    7. Infants & Toddlers - General    8. Language arts    9. Language arts (Preschool)    10. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    11. Parenting - Child Rearing    12. Preschool & Kindergarten    13. Study and teaching (Preschool)    14. Child care & upbringing   

Reviews (13)

Good observations, good data, but the conclusion is a bit overdrawn
The authors open with a number of anecdotes about the ways in which excessive homework interferes with family dinners, vacations, family conversations, conversations among siblings, pleasure reading, and a variety of other activities that teenagers are normally engaged in.This sets the tone for the whole book; the authors rely extensively on anecdotes to carry their story.
Let children play!
"What can I say-- thank you, thank you so much Nancy Kalish for all
Children Are Fleeing The Dinner Table To Rush To Finish Homework Assignments?
Whether there is too much homework, or not enough, assigned to public school students is debatable, but what is becoming more evident is that Sara Bennett and Alfie Kohn share the same crib notes.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Education    3. Education (Specific Aspects)    4. Educational Policy & Reform    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Homework    8. Life Stages - School Age    9. Parent participation    10. Parenting - General    11. Parents And Education    12. United States    13. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (300)

this worked for my child
I am very impressed by this program.My son was 5 1/2 and half way through kindergarten last winter and didn't know a single sight word.He was already speech delayed and I knew that was going to cause enough problems in school.I didn't want him to be behind academically as well.I found this program and am so thankful I did.He was reading books by the end of kindergarten and his teachers couldn't believe his progress.I just sat through his IEP meeting at the beginning of first grade and he has no academic IEP goals (now if we could just get the speech and behavior worked out).My only regret is that I did not find this book sooner.I will certainly start my other children much, much sooner.

Interesting methodology but...
...overall too ponderous and unwieldly for teaching an average child to read...perhaps more to the point it's quite tedious and would probably be difficult to use given a typical child's attention span...however, for remedial work in adults I suspect it would be quite useful.

Awesome!
Three months into kindergarten my son's teacher and I were concerned because he was having such a hard time learning the names and sounds of his letters.A friend recommended this book to me so we started it.He learned so much faster by just doing the sounds of the letters first.By the end of the school year his teacher was amazed at his progress.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Education    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Child care & upbringing    6. Education / General    7. English    8. English language: specific skills    9. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (4)

Best book on gifted education
This book is an invaluable resource to both parents and teachers

Among the best books on early education
I have a baby and recently started planning her early education.I systematically searched the internet, Amazon and university library shelves for information.Among the dozens of books that I have read or browsed, this one is clearly among the best (a must-have) for my style of parenting.I don't just listen to "experts" and do what they say, I do my own reasoning and make my own decision.
This is THE book on the subject
I suspect this is mainly used as a textbook for teachers or counselors and the like...but I bouoght it as a parent and I highly recommend this book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Gifted children    5. Special Education - Gifted    6. United States    7. Education / Special Education / Gifted    8. Teaching of gifted children   

Reviews (13)

A Good Read For Parents
This is a good book for parents not just those with toddlers and preschoolers. It gives insight into the montessori method and really shows you the interelationship between how a child deveopls intellectually and physically. I wish that I had gotten it earlier because it has good insights into toddlerhood - tantrums and all. My son is 21/2 and we are hoping to send him to pre-school in September, so we wanted to get a guideline so to speak about what we should be looking for and the best kind of learning at his age. Also we were looking for new ways to engage him, so I'm anxious to try out the activities. He's in the 'I want to be independent stage' and after reading the book I have adopted some of its advice on how to help him acheive this. All in all I would say its a good buy, quite informative.

Excellent Montessori resource for the home
I was looking for a good way to teach my preschool son at home using some elements of the Montessori method.However, I wanted to go at my own pace and in a relaxed way.If you need a more regimented and structured Montessori method at home read Elizabeth Hainstock's books.Leslie Britton's book is well-written, concise and hits all the main points.I really like the games and activities designed for children from two to six.I am able to pick and choose and with home materials to teach my son at home.My son is two so he's only able to participate in a few exercises.Can't recommend it enough.

Excellent tool for parents of pre-school age kids
Montessori school can be unbelieveably expensive (approx. 500 dollars per 8 week sessions, and that's just half days!), and your child has to be "approved" in most institutions. Based on the teaching of Maria Montessori, it is designed to help toddlers and young children learn in five simple steps: observation, participation, practice, "eureka" movement, and performance. This learning process can help youngsters be well ahead of the game by the time they go into Kindergarten. While a Montessori school can help give your kids interaction withkids of all ages, you can still apply this method of learning in the home, as Montessori pointed out: "Parents are still the child's first and most important teachers".Read more

Subjects:  1. Activities    2. Aids and devices    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Education    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Home Schooling    8. Methods Of Instruction In Early Childhood Education    9. Montessori method of education    10. Play    11. Teaching    12. Family & Relationships / Education   

Reviews (15)

A great resource
I remember that my grandma bought this book to give to my mom, so that she could share it with me.I developed pretty early, so my mom had already talked to me about my period before I read this book.I remember that she allowed me to read it myself and let me ask questions (I had lots).I also remember looking at the book with my cousin and laughing at the pictures of the developing male and female bodies.All in all, it's a great book that I'm glad is still in publication.I'd caution parents to give it to their children earlier than the age the book recommends.Both boys and girls are reaching puberty earlier these days and need to know about all of this.

Wonderful in 1975, and still is
My parents read both this book and "Where did I come from?" to me when they were first published in the mid-seventies (I was born in 1970).I don't remember feeling awkward or embarrassed about the books.I was at an age where everything was pre-sexual.I had no social hang-ups about my body parts.I remember very clearly starting elementary school about this time and I was able to understand what all the innuendos were about. Yes, sexual innuendos by many other children that couldn't have been older than nine.I remember other kids laughing at the girl who really believed that children came from the cabbage patch!I remember one of my friends crying and running to her mother when she caught our friend Kenny using the toilet while standing up.She though he had a horrible tumor.
I loved this book...
I think I'll make it a tradition in my family! My mom gave me this book when I was growing up, and I swear I read it cover to cover each day!! I loved the illustrations; I thought they eased the transition from Uncomfy-with-the-whole-puberty-thing to Yay!-I'm a Woman!! :P I'd recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescence    2. Children's 9-12 - Diet    3. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    4. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    5. Family & Relationships    6. Health & Daily Living - Maturing    7. Health - Maturing    8. Juvenile literature    9. Puberty    10. Sexuality    11. Body & health    12. Family & Relationships / School Age    13. Kunze, Johannes   

Editorial Review

Lucy Jo Palladino defines the Edison Trait (named after Thomas Edison) as divergent vs. convergent thinking. Edison Trait kids--one in five children--have the qualities that make innovative leaders, inventors, explorers, yet they often have a hard time in school where their personality traits may be seen as weak or negative. Palladino recasts these children in a positive light and gives specifics on understanding and becoming an ally for your Edison Trait child. The book is convincing, reassuring, and accessible. Perhaps it will help parents of nonconforming kids resist the pressure to make their kids "just fit in." ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Love rewires the brain
Pharmaceutical drugs are only one line of defense in treating ADD. Drugs can alter brain chemistry but the patient is fundamentally the same personality. Medication alone will only go so far. A combination of prescriptions and psychotherapy yield better long-term results. Thomas Edison owed his life to his mother who believed in him when the schools kicked him out at 6. There is something to be said about love ... love itself can rewire the brain of a "problem" child.