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The Genius in Every Child: Encouraging Character, Curiosity, and Creativity in Children

Rick Ackerly

3.95 · Rating details · 38 ratings · 3 reviews

Every parent wants the best for their child and it can be difficult for parents to watch from the sidelines when their child goes off to school. But Rick Ackerly helps parents through this transition with a reassuring book that shows them that while they will always be their child's first teacher and can continue to see themselves as educators, it is critical that "parents ...more

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Paperback, 256 pages

Published August 21st 2012 by Lyons Press (first published August 10th 2012)

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Apr 13, 2015 Katie Hurley rated it it was amazing

"Education is leading, not directing."

In a success-driven world where parents feel a need to push for passion and results, "The Genius In Every Child" is a breath of fresh air. With forty years of working with children under his belt, Rick Ackerly knows a thing or two about how to help kids thrive.
Ackerly knows that every child has an inner spark, and how parents choose to treat that spark is important. If parents push, the spark transforms into an impossible set of standards and therefore retr "Education is leading, not directing."

In a success-driven world where parents feel a need to push for passion and results, "The Genius In Every Child" is a breath of fresh air. With forty years of working with children under his belt, Rick Ackerly knows a thing or two about how to help kids thrive.
Ackerly knows that every child has an inner spark, and how parents choose to treat that spark is important. If parents push, the spark transforms into an impossible set of standards and therefore retreats. If parents allow children to make their own discoveries, children find their own success. Parents can't engineer success, they can only support the inner genius of the child.
Ackerly also knows that parenting is hard work. It isn't easy to stand on the sidelines when we see failure approaching. He understands that failure is part of the journey and that fixing failure, or trying to prevent it, actually deprives our children of the chance to try. And trying is part of the deal - it's how kids figure out which way to turn. It's how they fuel their sparks.
"Self Do It" is one of the more important chapters I've read in a parenting book in a very long time. Using an example that will no doubt resonate with many parents, Ackerly makes a case for listening to our kids, trusting them, and holding them accountable for their choices while remaining calm and loving. Many kids feel like they don't actually have choices in life. From my side of the couch, I hear kids saying things like, "My mom will never let me," or "My parents want me to do...." As Ackerly points out, all humans have an innate desire to be decision makers. The problem is that from the moment a child is born, parents start making decisions for him/her. That becomes habit-forming and, eventually, kids feel like they don't have the ability or freedom to make choices of their own. How can they possibly follow their dreams when they don't have the freedom to have dreams?
I recommend this book for parents, educators, and anyone else who loves children and wants to help them thrive. This book will change the way you think and help you see the genius in every child you encounter.
Katie Hurley, LCSW, author of "The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World" ...more

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Oct 20, 2014 Andrea Nair rated it it was amazing

Shelves: parenting-books-i-recommend

My copy of THE GENIUS IN EVERY CHILD by Rick Ackerly is covered in circled paragraphs with exclamations marks, has many dog-eared pages and notes written in the margins.

This book is a genius in itself. Helpful to both parents and teachers, the information Ackerly present will equip adults to guide, love and inspire children. THE GENIUS IN EVERY CHILD is full of pockets of wisdom, including his mantras for working with children and a thought-provoking list of “Disciplines A-Z.”

Highly recommended ...more

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