Publisher Simon & Schuster _ Publication Date 2002
Author: Mel Levine, M.D.
I. Book Summary
A Mind at a Time sets forth the premise that each and every child�s mind is unique (and by extension each adult�s mind is also unique). Not only does the mind of each person have important strengths, so also �all of us sooner or later come up against expectations that cause us frustration and lead to some panicky feelings of inadequacy�. This book describes the brain�s challenges and provides as well as providing a �road map� for parents and teachers to the mind functions that are important to success in school and in a career. A Mind at a Time is also a call to action by parents, teachers, and policy makers to understand how to meet the various learning needs and strengthen the differing strengths of students. Dr. Levine draws upon his thrity years of experience as a pediatrician with a clinical program and in school of all types and every grade.
II. Specific Information
This books explains how people learn and the implications for school, our attention control system and how to teach children to manage that system, our memory system, our language system, our spatial and sequential ordering systems, our motor system, our higher thinking system, our social thinking system (related to social skills), recommendations for interventions, strengthening weaknesses but not redesigning the mind, supports the home can provide, and his conception of �schools for all kinds of minds.�
Dr. Levine�s conception is very similar to our ALTA perspective of learning differences, not disabilities. He perhaps would expand on the idea of learning differences to say everyone learns differently from each and everyone else in this world. Viva le difference! This book elaborates and explains both the reasons behind our differences but very importantly what to do about them when weaknesses are hindering progress in the academic setting.
III. Reader's Opinion
I highly recommend this book to every teacher, every academic language therapist, as well as to parents and school administrators. Every chapter includes a section on practical considerations. It is a book I want to own and to reread while highlighting points that stand out for me.
IV. Audience
This books is for everyone who works with children at school, at church, in clubs, at the YMCA, etc. as well as for parents. It is for parents whose children are whizzing through school as well as for those parents whose children are struggling in school or in social settings. If a parent finds the first chapters difficult to understand, I recommend they read those chapters that offer special appeal to them.
