Teaching Kids to Think

Raising Confident, Independent, and Thoughtful Children in an Age of Instant Gratification

by Darlene Sweetland , Ron Stolberg

Number of pages: 304

Publisher: AMACOM

BBB Library: Parenting

ISBN: 9781492602750



About the Authors

Darlene Sweetland : Dr. Sweetland is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 20

Read More...

Ron Stolberg : Dr. Stolberg is a licensed clinical psychologist with an emphasis in

Read More...

Editorial Review

In Teaching Kids to Think, Dr. Darlene Sweetland and Dr. Ron Stolberg offer insight into the social, emotional, and neurological challenges unique to this generation. They identify the five parent traps that cause adults to unknowingly increase their children's need for instant gratification, and offer practical tips and easy-to-implement solutions to address topics relevant to children of all ages.

Book Reviews

"In the aftermath of reading this book, I’ve caught myself from answering for my kids, giving them solutions, and so forth more often. I hope I can keep it up, because I am determined to raise kids who know how to think for themselves!" - Rebecca Reads

"Teaching Kids to Think will help you understand where this sense of entitlement comes from--and how to turn it around in order to raise children who are confident, independent, and thoughtful" - Hancock Public Library

A must-read for parents and educators, Teaching Kids to Think will help you understand where this sense of entitlement comes from – and how to turn it around in order to raise children who are confident, independent, and thoughtful." - Nonfiction Author Association

Books on Related Topics

Wisdom to Share

The bottom line is that most things hold more meaning when they are earned than when they are given.

While athletics has so much to offer children in the way of teaching diligence, hard work, and perseverance, it can only do that if parents support those lessons.

Play comes naturally to the vast majority of children.

While video games enable children to feel a temporary reprieve, it can be the start of a vicious cycle where alienation from the social demands of being with peers is relieved isolating oneself through game playing.

Our phones are so powerful that our children may never experience the discomfort of being lost.

Getting the good grade is praised, rather than working hard for the grade.

Children regularly say that the smart kids are the ones who don't have to study, and that school is easy for them.

Children remember when the actions of adults are consistent with their words.

classes in high school, and ultimately, acceptance at a great college.

Parents see grades as the key to better teachers, higher self-esteem, honors .

The academic rescue occurs when parents work harder than their children for good grades.

it is very easy for them empathize with their children as they experience as the same trials and tribulations of confusing social dynamics and want to protect them.

Parents don't want to be the reason for their child's unhappiness.

Parents don't want their children to feel left out.

Parents feel proud sharing their children's accomplishments.

Parents want to do everything in their power for their children, and that translates into feeling pushed to meet their needs quickly. In doing so, they enable a pattern of instant gratification.

Parents attempt social rescues including buying children the top brand-name clothes or electronic gadget so they will be accepted by their friends.

Parents get caught up in the hysteria that every grade and every assignment will impact their child's chances of getting into a choice college.

Often feel compelled to "save" their children from a negative experience by fixing their problems for them.

Parents hate to see their children struggle.

A parent trap is a situation in which parents are drawn to solve problems for their children or rescue them in a way that ultimately stifles growth opportunities.