The SMART Parenting Revolution: A Powerful New Approach to Unleashing Your Child's Potential [Hardcover]

Dawna Markova (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2005

Dawna Markova is revolutionizing the way parents approach their children’s education. A leading educator and psychologist, she has noticed that parents tend to focus on correcting their children’s weaknesses. But in this groundbreaking book based on the world-renowned SMARTWired program, Dr. Markova demonstrates a more effective strategy that centers on building a child’s strengths. This approach not only helps children discover their passion and purpose in life, but it also instills in them a strong sense of self-worth–which in turn makes them highly motivated to learn.

A longtime teacher, Dr. Markova understands that by recognizing and developing children’s unique assets, parents can help them succeed not just in school but in life. She cites compelling anecdotes across all age groups and reveals practical strategies: the essential principles of the SMARTWired approach to learning, the three kinds of attention the human brain uses, and the five categories of children’s assets. Along the way, you will discover how to

• identify and support your child’s hidden talents
• help your child make sound decisions with confidence
• communicate on the same wavelength with your child for better mutual understanding
• nurture your child’s assets in partnerships with schools, mentors, coaches, and other resources
• free your child from societal expectations

An impassioned call to arms backed by a point-by-point plan, The SMART Parenting Revolution provides the road map for all parents looking to develop their children’s full potential.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At once a textbook, workbook and storybook, Markova's latest offering is more than the sum of its parts. The text is packed with practical suggestions, illustrative examples and food for thought. Markova points out that "the brain is an analog processor, meaning that it works by analogy and metaphor, as well as anecdotes," and occasionally illustrates points using histories of famous people, such as Picasso. Markova reminds readers that everyone experiences the world differently and provides a concrete system for learning about how other people process information. She then unveils her own "Thinking Talents" and "Mind Patterns." Although she favors her own theories and does not acknowledge widely accepted educational concepts such as learning styles or multiple intelligences, and though her writing can be overemotional at times, Markova is nevertheless a gifted author. She is at her best when relating personal experiences with children or when highlighting kids who've done extraordinary things and have had a positive impact on the community. The book will be most helpful to parents who do not have a background in education and to those who are looking for strategies to help them reconnect with their families or improve their family lives.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

By focusing on children's weaknesses, as defined by outdated schooling techniques, parents are creating frustrations for themselves and their children, and missing genuine opportunities to encourage a lifelong love of learning. Markova, educator and psychologist, offers an impassioned plea to parents to emphasize a child's assets and to refocus educational efforts on a child's unique abilities and talents to coax out excellence. Drawing on her research and experience, Markova advocates her concept of SMART methods, which take advantage of a child's strengths, sorted into five categories: success, modes of attention, attractions, resources, and thinking talents. Parents will appreciate a parenting guide that emphasizes children's positive attributes and encourages personal development of the parent as well. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034548245X
• ISBN-13: 978-0345482457
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Crucial Antidote to the Standardization of our Children, September 6, 2005

By 

Mary Jane Ryan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SMART Parenting Revolution: A Powerful New Approach to Unleashing Your Child's Potential (Hardcover)

I have been a fan of Dr. Markova's positive approach for years, since I first read HOW YOUR CHILD IS SMART. Here she puts it all together to show parents exactly how to foster their child's potential. She helps you identify your child's unique talents and use their gifts to overcome the challenges they face. Whether you have a child doing faboulously in school or one who is struggling in this standaradized world, this book is an absolute necessity for every parent wanting to bring out the best in their child.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tremendous gift for every parent, September 22, 2005

By 

C. Judge (Eden, Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SMART Parenting Revolution: A Powerful New Approach to Unleashing Your Child's Potential (Hardcover)

As a single mother of three young boys, one with autism, I've read a lot of books about parenting and helping children learn and succeed. This book is far and away the best source for practical, useful information to help my children succeed at school and in life. My kids enjoyed it as well because they were actually able to participate in the process and we have since embarked on an amazing journey to discover their individual thinking patterns and strengths. Dr. Markova's strategies for using a child's natural intelligence so that they can pay attention in class, tap into their creativity, and make thoughtful decisions are truly revolutionary. These insights into each child's unique way of thinking has made me a better mother and just totally changed the atmosphere of our home to focus on the positives. Another major benefit is that I now feel like I'm able to have productive, positive conversations with teachers to find solutions for my kids that aren't based on punishments or medications - happy kids, happy teachers, happy mom! Thanks Dr. Markova!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Approach for Educators, Parents and Managers, January 30, 2006

By 

Tammy G. Simpo (Charleston, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The SMART Parenting Revolution: A Powerful New Approach to Unleashing Your Child's Potential (Hardcover)

Wouldn't it be a better world if each of us could reach our full potential? Dr. Markova provides a logical and amazing approach that will allow children to thrive. Her approach early on in her teaching career proved to be an exciting journey for the children in her classroom as well as parents and herself. She demonstrates how focusing on a child's strengths and interests can unlock the gifts children (and adults) have. Understanding these strengths and interests can be used to assist a child to improve in other areas.

I particularly like the fact that she lays the foundation and philosophy in the first part of her book, and follows up with the practical approach that allows easy implementation.

Dr. Markova is on target that we've become a society that clearly sees what we did wrong. She guides us now to see what we've done right and how this approach can transcend our children and ourselves. More, please, Dr. Markova!