Beyond Intelligence: Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids

by Dona J. Matthews, Joanne Foster

From two internationally recognized experts in the field of gifted education comes this timely exploration of how best to nurture a child’s unique gifts, and set them on a path to a happily productive life ― in school and beyond. What is intelligence? Is it really a have or have not proposition, as we’ve been led to believe? Are some children just destined to fall behind? Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster answer those questions with a resounding “No!” In Beyond Intelligence , they demonstrate that every child has the ability to succeed ― with the right support and guidance. But how can parents provide that support? Matthews and Foster proceed from the assumption that knowledge is power, offering parents an information-packed guide to identifying a child’s ability, fostering creativity, and bolstering effort and persistence. Using case studies and anecdotes from their personal and professional experience, they explore different ways of learning; the links between creativity and intelligence; and how to best to provide emotional and social supports. They offer critical advice on how to work co-operatively with schools and educators, and address how to embrace failures as learning opportunities. Drawing on the latest research in brain development and education theory, Beyond Intelligence is a must-read for today’s parents and educators.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 19, 2014

About the author

Dona Matthews, PhD, is a developmental psychologist who has worked with children, families, and schools since 1990. In addition to running a private practice with a focus on giftedness and other special needs, she was Executive Director, Millennium Dialogue on Early Child Development, University of Toronto, and founding Director, Hunter College Center for Gifted Studies and Education, City University of New York. She has published dozens of articles and book chapters, and is co-author of Beyond Intelligence: Secrets for Raising Happily Productive Kids; Being Smart about Gifted Education; The Development of Giftedness and Talent across the Life Span; and The Routledge International Companion to Gifted Education. www.beyondintelligence.net

Reviews

[Spelling Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info, but not much on homeschooling.

[Yulia Vasyliv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Іноді усім батькам потрібна підказка, нагадування про якісь важливі фокуси. Ця книга сподобалася мені тим, що у ній немає поділу на талановитих і не талановитих, що кожна дитина де факто має шанс розвинути свій талант, який у неї точно є. Від цього Автори розповідають про роль батьків у цьому процесі, зокрема щодо школи. Вкотре подумала, що батьки таки добряче недопрацьовують із допомогою дитині із пошуком свого заняття чи інтересу, перекладаючи часто усе на плечі школи. Автори пропонують як рекомендації, на що варто звернути увагу, так і практичний перелік, що можна роботи. Книга включає питання тестів та ставлення до них (чому для когось вони працюють, а для когось ні), роль батьків у школі і роль вчителів (зокрема щодо взаємодії із батьками), прийняття рішення щодо школи, соціальний контекст та друзі. Деякі тези виглядають як трохи завищена планка для нашого контексту, але це все одно має великий сенс.

Ключове,мабуть, для мене: інтелект розвиваєтсья впродовж життя. Тому не варто "вішати" на дітей ярлики.

[Ginny B · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information in here that can be applied over a variety of educational experiences, but if you are a homeschooler be prepared to feel marginalized. The brief mention of homeschooling is presented as a temporary option for education and not a commitment.

That being said, most of the chapters can easily be adapted or need no adaptation foe those of us that homeschool.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for every parent and educator. Matthews and Foster really dig deep into the research and case studies that demonstrate why parents need to focus on things other than intelligence. We need to be worrying about our kids' creativity, emotional intelligence, how to manage labeling (gifted, ADD, etc), ways to embrace their differences and curiosities, and so much more. While parents have heard these things for years, it is very easy to fall into the trap of "Are they smarter than their peers?"

The authors go through various situations and research laying out a plan for parents who want to be hands on but not helicopter parents. They explain how to advocate for your child in a way that makes you the teacher's partner rather than boss or enemy. While they only talk about homeschooling briefly (maybe a page of the entire book) there is so much here for homeschool families. Each chapter ends with a summary and some questions which will help any parent no matter how their child is educated.

I especially liked that the book was broken up in a way that makes it easy to follow your child's development. There are sections on early childhood, adolescents, early adulthood, and more. It made it easy to follow, and very rarely do books like this go beyond the elementary years. I found the research on parenting and advocating for and with teens and young adults very interesting. Even more interesting is the research that shows a gap year between high school and college is actually very good for a teen's brain development, discipline, and long term education.

I borrowed this book from the library, and I enjoyed it so much I ended up ordering my own copy from Amazon so I can mark it up. I plan to turn back to this book again and again as my kids get older and move into new stages of life.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond Intelligence is a book for parents and educators that looks at how we can help create environments that are conducive to learning.

Each of the 10 chapters is about a different concept related to developing your child's intelligence. Concrete examples from their case files are used, and backed up with research in the field.

Topics include:
What is intelligence?
How do we measure it?
Intelligence and creativity
Decision making about schooling
Raising Children to Thrive

Overall, I really enjoyed reading Beyond Intelligence. I have a degree in psychology, so naturally gravitate to these types of books. I also have two boys who are incredibly smart and have a love of learning. I, of course, want to keep this passion alive and help them to thrive as adults.

By reading this book, it confirmed a lot of things that I am already doing with my kids, and convinced me that I should keep along the same path.
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[Barb Wiseberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another home run from the team of Dona Matthews and Joanne Foster, authors of Being Smart About Gifted Education.

"Beyond Intelligence" should be at the top of your reading list. There are many books out there that will help you learn how to teach your children manners, ABC's etc.

But this book is different. It's a guidebook for us - the parents - on how to correctly navigate today's world of parenting. The goal isn't to have the "best" child - the goal is to raise a happy, resilient, confident child - secure in his family - secure in the knowledge that he will be ready to soar and tackle the world.

The quizzes and checklists throughout the book are especially helpful - as they give a framework for each chapter, and will be helpful when I go back and review them a year from now, to ensure our family is on track.

[Karen Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read as a parent that deals with school-age development, so there was a lot of information about formal schooling - choosing schools, what parents/teachers/educators can do, the kinds of problems kids have in school (boredom, bullying, etc).

I thought it was well-written and I learned a lot. I'm not sure yet if of how it will change anything I'm doing with my kids. But, I took notes from all the summaries at the end of each chapter (I really liked that they provided those!), so plan to refer to those notes often in the future. Overall, I'm glad I read it, as I haven't seen most of this content in other parenting books.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intelligence alone is not enough. this is a parents' guide to helping your smart kid navigate the challenges that come with intelligence: laziness (everything comes easy or is too boring, lack of ambition and stick-to-it-iveness), peer problems (arrogance, not fitting in, being bullied, being a bully), and ironically, low-self esteem.

Parents have to be supportive, and guide choices, not make them.

[Andrea Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEYOND INTELLIGENCE is a must-have book for parents. So many important educational and child-development questions are answered here. Ones like, what is the best type of school for my child and how do I foster a love of learning?

I believe parents will value Matthews and Foster’s practical approach to growing the natural intelligences we all have.

[Lindsay Sawey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid information and practical advice for parents but too many examples & checklists for my liking.

[Milka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on what it takes to raise kids to be more than intelligent and help them discover their full potential.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary! The ultimate handbook for your child's education and development, extensive in scope, nuanced, and written in a relaxed friendly manner. Kudos to Dona Matthews!

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed in the short, misleading paragraph on homeschooling.