"Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary Executive Skills Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential," by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare, offers invaluable guidance for parents of children aged 4-13 who struggle with focus, organization, and emotional regulation. This updated edition tackles the challenges faced by "smart but scattered" kids, exploring the underlying executive function skills impacting their daily lives. The authors provide practical strategies to identify weaknesses, strengthen crucial skills like planning and self-control, and improve routines. With new research, updated examples, and downloadable tools, the book empowers parents to help their children thrive academically and emotionally, reducing stress for both the child and the family. This comprehensive guide offers a supportive and effective approach to nurturing a child's full potential.
Review Smart but Scattered
Oh, "Smart but Scattered" – what a rollercoaster of emotions this book has given me! I'm so torn, actually. The information itself? Absolutely invaluable. As someone who's always been fascinated by executive functioning and its challenges, particularly in children, this book is a goldmine. The research-backed strategies for helping kids improve their organization, focus, and emotional regulation are incredibly helpful and insightful. The authors, Peg Dawson and Richard Guare, clearly know their stuff, and they present complex ideas in a way that’s surprisingly accessible to parents and educators alike. I especially appreciated the practical tools and the “Good Place to Start” suggestions – those really helped to ground the theory in actionable steps. The updated edition's inclusion of a chapter on technology and a more comprehensive section on school were fantastic additions, reflecting the modern realities of childhood. It really feels like they've thought of everything, from identifying your child’s strengths to tackling everyday routines that just aren't working. The book genuinely empowers you to support your child (or yourself, if you're one of the "smart but scattered" adults!).
However, my experience reading it hasn't been entirely smooth sailing. I've heard multiple reports of printing issues, and unfortunately, that mirrors my own experience – or rather, my attempts at reading experiences. I, too, received a copy with pages printed upside down, a truly maddening detail that completely disrupts the flow and makes it frustrating to follow along. It’s not just me, either; I've seen other reviews mentioning this problem, which suggests a quality control issue with some print runs. It’s such a shame because the content deserves a much better presentation. Another frequent criticism, and one I concur with, is the small print size. It's a significant drawback; the detail in the text is crucial, and straining to read it diminishes the overall pleasure of the learning experience. The smaller font makes it even more tedious to deal with the upside-down pages, making the whole thing a real test of patience. I’d much rather have been engrossed in the helpful content, rather than wrestling with a flawed printing job.
So, while I wholeheartedly recommend "Smart but Scattered" for its insightful content and practical advice, I feel compelled to also caution potential readers about the possibility of encountering printing errors. Do your due diligence – check other reviews, and maybe even contact the publisher or seller directly to inquire about the print quality before purchasing. It's a truly impactful book brimming with valuable information, but it shouldn't be this much of a struggle to actually read it. Hopefully, the publishers will address these issues to ensure future editions are flawless and provide the positive reading experience the amazing content deserves. Ultimately, despite the frustration, the knowledge within outweighs the physical shortcomings – just be prepared for some potential headaches along the way.
Information
- Dimensions: 7 x 0.86 x 10 inches
- Language: English
- Print length: 328
- Publication date: 2024
- Publisher: The Guilford Press
Book table of contents
- Introduction
- PART I: What Makes Your Child Smart but Scattered
- PART II: Laying a Foundation That Can Help
- Nine Principles for Improving Your Child's Executive Skills
- Advance Organizer
- Putting It All Together
- Response Inhibition
- Enhancing Working Memory
- Improving Emotional Control
- Encouraging Flexibility
- Strengthening Sustained Attention
- Task Initiation
- Promoting Planning and Prioritizing
- Fostering Organization
- Instilling Time Management
Preview Book
