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By Adam J. Cox No Mind Left Behind: Understanding and Fostering Executive Control--The Eight Essential Brain Skills
A top child psychologist explains the eight essential cognitive skills every child needs to thrive. In this revolutionary new book, Dr. Adam J. Cox describes how to enhance learning by revealing the latest research on Executive Control - Initiation-Organizing thoughts well enough to get started on a task - Flexibility-Learning to adapt as situations unfold - Attention-Focusing long enough to retain important information - Organization-Managing space to promote forward momentum - Planning-Managing time - Working memory-Memorizing information long enough for it to be learned - Self-awareness-Having both sufficient self-knowledge and an understanding of how one is seen by others - Regulating emotions-Expressing feelings in proportion to the events that elicited them Discussing each skill in detail, Dr. Cox offers tools and techniques to enhance every child's capability, including children diagnosed with special needs.
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First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 9, 2020
I picked up this book for my son's benefit, but found that I learned a whole lot about my own executive function deficits as a kid. My suspicion is that would be true for many adults reading the book, but I can certainly point to specific examples from my own childhood and adolescence. Cox does a fantastic job of putting everything in practical terms, including concrete examples of both functioning and non-functioning "Factor Ex." Highly recommend for parents of children who may be struggling academically and socially, particularly when you feel like your kid has all the potential tools to succeed and just isn't using them. It's a quick read that is well organized and very useful.
May 21, 2017
Fantastic! Highly enlightening. I haven't put any of the principles in use yet, however I have high hopes.
December 9, 2019
Fantastic, practical ideas for those with problems in executive functioning.
August 25, 2020
wao its amazing Thanks
https://stopwatch360.com/timer/
https://stopwatch360.com/timer/
January 2, 2010
"Stephen is hurt because Evan races his bike ahead all the time. Evan is irritated that no matter how fast he goes, Crane keeps calling him 'slowpoke.' Crane is frustrated that his best friend, Stephen, 'takes forever to do everything.'"
The above quote illustrates the main difficulty I had while reading this book. Cox inserts an endless stream of fictional children to illustrate the ideas he's discussing. A new page can have twelve new kids--which, for me, is twelve new kids to picture in my mind: a very time consuming mental process, which actually took my focus from the book's ideas.
This book is about the eight executive control skills: initiative, flexibility, attention, organization, planning, working memory, self-awareness, and regulating emotions. It is long on descriptions of these skills but rather short on recommendations for how to develop them.
What I'm taking away:
Time and attention are the most valuable gifts we give our children. We should be generous.
To help a child get started and work through a project, break it down into small steps for her.
Small children don't understand time, so uses references like "We'll leave the party in five minutes. That's about how long it takes to brush your teeth." Cox also recommends the Time Timer:
http://www.timetimer.com/products.php
Involve children in projects like crafting and planning birthday parties, so that they learn how to start and finish something.
Create a nonverbal signal with a child to let her know when her emotions are starting to escalate. One example: tap your hand with the forefinger of the other hand three times, reminding the child to take three big breaths, while giving an encouraging smile. As kids get older, give positive reinforcement for times they cool their emotions down independently.
Talk about emotions as a choice, not something that overtakes you."Okay, let's think about this. Do you want to keep crying or would you rather play trains and finish crying later?"
To give a child perspective on emotions, take her to a busy place and discreetly watch people, while discussing what individuals may be thinking or feeling.
The above quote illustrates the main difficulty I had while reading this book. Cox inserts an endless stream of fictional children to illustrate the ideas he's discussing. A new page can have twelve new kids--which, for me, is twelve new kids to picture in my mind: a very time consuming mental process, which actually took my focus from the book's ideas.
This book is about the eight executive control skills: initiative, flexibility, attention, organization, planning, working memory, self-awareness, and regulating emotions. It is long on descriptions of these skills but rather short on recommendations for how to develop them.
What I'm taking away:
Time and attention are the most valuable gifts we give our children. We should be generous.
To help a child get started and work through a project, break it down into small steps for her.
Small children don't understand time, so uses references like "We'll leave the party in five minutes. That's about how long it takes to brush your teeth." Cox also recommends the Time Timer:
http://www.timetimer.com/products.php
Involve children in projects like crafting and planning birthday parties, so that they learn how to start and finish something.
Create a nonverbal signal with a child to let her know when her emotions are starting to escalate. One example: tap your hand with the forefinger of the other hand three times, reminding the child to take three big breaths, while giving an encouraging smile. As kids get older, give positive reinforcement for times they cool their emotions down independently.
Talk about emotions as a choice, not something that overtakes you."Okay, let's think about this. Do you want to keep crying or would you rather play trains and finish crying later?"
To give a child perspective on emotions, take her to a busy place and discreetly watch people, while discussing what individuals may be thinking or feeling.
September 10, 2012
I liked how this book nicely packaged all those significant cognitive skills under the Factor Ex banner. It gave a name and identity to skills I as a parent knew existed and knew were important and knew were sometimes lacking in my own children or other children, but I just didn't quite know what they all were, how they were related, what part of the brain was affected and how vital they are to overall success, self-image and happiness in life. I loved the numerous real life fictionalized examples of kids in specific situations that Dr. Cox gives throughout the book. I found those helpful to put a "name" and "face" to the clinical side of each pillar. They made them easier for me to identify and gave great, concrete examples of ways to build up those areas.
November 6, 2014
I believe that the subtitle is not appropriate for this book. "understanding and fostering executive control"...
The understanding part, was more focused on the brain structure itself rather than explaining with examples how the different components of executive control functions affect the daily life of a kid. It does not give too many details, too superficial for me.
Fostering..... I still looking for it. a little disappointed.
I was trying to find a book that explain the different components of the executive control function and gives concrete example of the presence of these skills on our kids. I was looking for concrete games or tips to follow to motivate our kids to further develop these skills. This books does not give this.
The understanding part, was more focused on the brain structure itself rather than explaining with examples how the different components of executive control functions affect the daily life of a kid. It does not give too many details, too superficial for me.
Fostering..... I still looking for it. a little disappointed.
I was trying to find a book that explain the different components of the executive control function and gives concrete example of the presence of these skills on our kids. I was looking for concrete games or tips to follow to motivate our kids to further develop these skills. This books does not give this.
November 25, 2016
The author, Adam Cox, spoke at our school and handed out a couple of copies of his book. Fortunately I received one of these and I am impressed with his ideas. As an educator I have noticed the increase of behavioral problems among students. Cox addresses some of these behavioral issues and do so in a well-explained, easy to understand format. Primarily directed at parents, the advice and suggestions he provides are relevant for educators as well. He provides a list of Eight Pillars, which are skills children need to have in order to been successful and productive members of society.
This book is recommended for those who work with children, or are parents of a child who has a difficult time coping with time management, or has emotional meltdowns, or lacks social skills.
This book is recommended for those who work with children, or are parents of a child who has a difficult time coping with time management, or has emotional meltdowns, or lacks social skills.
May 10, 2011
This book is very informative. It gave me some tools to help with my child's daily tasks and helped me understand every child's brain development is different. I learned how to evaluate my child's cognitive, mental, social and emotional developmental progress, which keeps me insane when I try to tackle some parenting problems. I actually did not finished the book before I had to return back to the library. It's not an easy book to read for me and took a long time. I definitely will borrow the book again and finish or even re-read it.
March 14, 2008
The best new way of looking at child development--a wonderful blend of science and empathy.
Must read for parents of children who:
-have attention or learning problems
-are having trouble in school (despite ability)
-who need a more effective way of motivating their kids.
Must read for parents of children who:
-have attention or learning problems
-are having trouble in school (despite ability)
-who need a more effective way of motivating their kids.
December 20, 2009
A very important and practical book for parents to read, preferably before their children start school. We cannot assume that children can just understand how to be motivated, initiate tasks and set goals. They ned to be taught those skill sets.
March 4, 2012
Helpful explanation of executive skills as it relates to helping children reach their potential and succeed.
January 1, 2016
Very helpful information about executive functioning
November 6, 2016
I'm not sure what to think. The author seems to suggest that we raise a generation of super kids.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews