Mind in the Making

The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

by Ellen Galinsky

Number of pages: 400

Publisher: William Morrow & Company

BBB Library: Education, Psychology and Strengths

ISBN: 978-0061732324



About the Author

Galinsky is the president and cofounder of the Families and Work Institute. She wrote more than 40 books, and has received numerous honorary degrees and awards.

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Editorial Review

Life today can be complex, distracting, fast moving, 24-7, and stressful. It is also joyful and full of exciting possibilities. We know that if it is this way for us, it is only going to be more so for our children. We all want the best for our children, but how do we help them not only survive but thrive, today and in the future? It is clear that there is information children need to learn—facts, figures, concepts, insights, and understandings. But we have neglected something that is equally essential—children need life skills.

Book Reviews

"Too much of the parenting conversation has served to raise the bar beyond what is reasonable or necessary, to tell parents there is one right way, and you’d better learn it fast before you ruin your child for good. Galinsky’s goal, as she writes in a guest essay today, is to ratchet down that frenzy and reduce the guilt by sending parents the message that they already know most of what they need to know, and they are already doing pretty darn well." The New York Time

"Each chapter focuses on a single skill, recounting fascinating research on brain development and babies and then making suggestions for strengthening the skill in your child. Mind in the Making is chock full of gee-whiz moments, such as the finding that toddlers can remember and mimic a researcher's gesture four entire months later -- after first seeing it for just 20 seconds. I was blown away by the research on how much babies understand about language, numbers and people's intentions, long before they become verbal." About Parenting

"These are the "essential life skills" that Ellen Galinsky has spent her career pursuing, through her own studies and through decades of talking with more than a hundred of the most outstanding researchers in child development and neuroscience. The good news is that there are simple everyday things that all parents can do to build these skills in their children for today and for the future. They don't cost money, and it's never too late to begin." Pioneer Valley Montessori School

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Wisdom to Share

It is never too late to help children learn these life skills, no matter what their ages.

Studies prove that adults who continue to learn about children – about parenting them and teaching them – make the best parents and the best teachers.

Trustworthy relationships that foster learning are caring and reliable relationships where adults can be depended on

Keep children safe; make them feel secure; give them structure, a routine and pattern to their lives that they can count on

Life is filled with challenges. And challenges – even positive ones – can be stressful.

Critical thinking takes focus to pursue knowledge.

Acknowledge that making mistakes is not only okay, it is a part of learning.

Critical thinking is the ongoing search for valid and reliable knowledge to guide beliefs, decisions, and actions.

Understand that a warm and trusting relationship is the strongest foundation for learning perspective taking.