Rating: 
Summary: Explains a lot
Review: I can't really comment on this books usefulness for parents of school-aged kids, because my kids are still preschool or younger. I read the book hoping to have an idea of what to watch as my boys get older. What happened and what I wasn't expecting was that my school career would be explained in a sudden blast of enlightenment. Dr. Levine breaks down the child mind into functional bits, and explains how different systems can go wrong, and how that can effect virtually everything that child does. For a child with a deficit that falls into school-required activities (like a problem hearing phonemes) what is a relatively small breakdown of function (and we all have some) can translate into a devastating blow to their ability to handle school work and life. He covers a multitude of different systems and possibilities for their problems (including at least 9 different ways in which attention can fail), in the process covering several things that the schools don't recognize and sometimes breaking one accepted category (ADD) into many different possible deficits, each of which is handled differently.
What hit me like a bombshell was the chapter on sequencing. I was a top notch student who spent my entire career terrified that someone was going to hit me with something that I couldn't do, because every once in a while I'd hit something (timelines in history class, lists of states and their capitols and exports) that I just couldn't seem to do. Since I was an honor student, nobody ever thought (or would have cared) that I might have a problem. It certainly never occurred to me. The only possibilities I knew were that I was stupid or lazy, and I obviously wasn't stupid.
I won't go on with my whole student career, but suffice to say that if I could send my younger self back a copy of this book (well highlighted) I think my life would be very different. It would be well worth the time it takes to read this book to see if you can find such a chance to change a life now.
Rating:
Summary: Help for All Learners
Review: Dr. Mel Levine, Founder of All Kinds of Minds Institute and Director of the University of North Carolina's Clinical Center for Development and Learning, describes himself as "a pediatrician with a mission." He is "obsessed with helping children find success." Indeed, after three decades of working in schools and with children, Levine is receiving national attention. Not only is _A Mind at a Time_ a bestseller, Levine has recently been featured on several national talk shows and on the ... documentary _Misunderstood Minds_._A Mind at a Time_ is easy for the lay person to read and understand. Although Levine closely follows educational research, he does not cite research studies in _A Mind at a Time_. Rather he bases the book on "objective clinical observation." Levine writes, "For me these kids have been like textbooks on learning and mind development. I can learn more about a child by getting to know her well than by reading a list of computer-generated test scores. In fact, whenever I participate in the clinical evaluation of a child, I see some facets of brain function that I have never before seen." A genuine appreciation of each child shines through each of the case vignettes that Levine includes in _A Mind at a Time_. This appreciation is not merely compassion for a child dealing with learning difficulties; it is a celebration of the unique combination of strengths and weaknesses that makes up each child's mind. Optimism also pervades the discussion of each child. Levine identifies eight "neurodevelopmental systems" that work together during learning. The relationship between these systems is similar to that between the body's physiological systems (such as the circulatory system and the respiratory system). These eight systems are ' attention control
' memory
' language
' spatial ordering
' sequential ordering
' motor
' higher thinking (including problem solving, logical reasoning, critical thinking, creative thinking, and more)
' social thinking Levine examines each of these systems in detail and includes "practical considerations" for helping children function well in each area. He says that many dysfunctions in these areas cannot be identified on any test. Levine points out that people are expected to do well at everything only when they are children. Once they are out of school, they can select a career that is a good match to their neurodevelopmental strengths. Levine believes that before addressing difficulties with learning it is important to examine "how learning works when it's working." This leads to an upward spiral for success as remedies for learning problems can be applied to improve learning strategies for all students. Levine concludes _A Mind at a Time_ with chapters about the roles of the home and the school in learning. He also provides an index and an annotated list of "Helpful Readings and Other Resources."
Rating: 
Summary: Good Information, but no practical help
Review: I read this book with the idea that I would get some help in knowing how to help my son with some of the learning challenges he has faced. The book was very informative about how the brain works and different learning styles and challenges. However, there really were no exercises or concrete advice about how to work on the different problem areas. Only general advice was given, nothing specific to the individual problems. It made me feel as though the author wanted us to buy the book to know all the whys, but he didn't want to undermine the therapists' ability to make a living by giving us the 'hows'. It frustrated me because I already know where the problem areas are.... what I wanted to know was how to practice overcoming them. The book did not help me here.
Rating:
Summary: Putting The Horse Before The Cart
Review: Although the book "A Mind At A Time" by Mel Levine, like the other current good ones, such as, "The Child Whisperer", "Why Didn't I Think Of That", etc is kind of based on material that is somewhat passe' and now well known, I did enjoy and learn many things from reading it. As a longtime parent and educator, however, I am more and more becoming convinced that the first and most important thing for children to learn about and internalize is character. Teaching children of all levels and abilities then becomes much, much easier. All of the most brilliant, well-meaning research on learning is rather less useful if an individual does not possess good character traits, including the will to learn. I feel that's the root core problem in an American educational system that has great educated and dedicated teachers. For a resource that makes it easy and interesting to understand character and why character counts, I am currently receiving excellent results when using the book, "West Point: Character Leadership Education..." by Norman Thomas Remick. But, maybe you know of another one. In any event, I can only say that putting the horse before the cart by teaching and imbuing character makes imparting knowledge a heck of a lot easier. And knowledge is virtue.
Rating:
Summary: We're all snowflakes
Review: when it comes to learning, but unfortunately most schools teach only one way. Much of Dr. Levine's eight areas of learning is what we actually test at the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation. We have isolated and test for some 20 of what we call aptitudes or natural abilities. Mr. O'Connor tested all ages of children, but found we couldn't really establish norms and be confident that these aptitudes would be predictive and stable over a lifetime until the age of 14. We often see what we call "the mechanical genius with poor school grades" - a person, usually male, who scores high in our paper folding and wiggly block 3-d tests but who is low in what we call graphoria (visual scanning speed ). Once you get out of Montessori preschool, how much of school involves 3-d learning. And the schools cut hands-on programs like shop, mechanics, art. so these people don't have an outlet for the way they learn best. What I like about Levine's book is that it stresses strengths rather than the disability model, and it helps parents and teachers become more aware and open to different learning styles.
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Summary: A MOMENTOUS WORK ON CHILDRENS ACADEMIC AND GENERAL DEVP
Review: A groundbreaking and momentous work! Dr.Levine comes as a messiah for children.The reader will find himself vastly more informed, tolerant, sensitive and caring towards children. This book gives us deep insights and awareness of the process of a developing mind, a childs mind. How it learns; where, why, and when it falters.It suggests remedies and ways and means to maximise and sustain the minds potential for growth.'A mind at a time' endows us with hitherto unknown skills and processes required to handle each mind individually, to enable it to bloom fully. A lack of will only can allow our politicians and leaders to remain impassive to the need for reviewal and revamp of our present education system, after they read and understand the powerful messages of this book. Next time you have the occassion to give a gift, don't give a gift cheque, an envelope full of banknotes, a bouquet, or a household appliance----GIFT THIS BOOK!!! You will be doing a favour , and giving a gift to humanity!!! A must for all adults!!!Happy reading!!!
Rating:
Summary: Broadens Education Science
Review: In a culture which now realizes homeschooling facilitates flexibility, and not all private schools are, by default, better than public schools, and, essentially, kids aren't educated the same, "A Mind at a Time" shows us that educators and parents need to explore what works. As a student who suffered throuygh failure after failure in elementary school, I applaud the recognition Mel Levine's book is getting. I wish my teachers had the insight Levine presents. And, as I live in an area where homeschooled kids are getting the top grades as they enter a top private college in my town, I must say that there is more than one way to teach a kid. Levine is both making a social commentary and a directive for schools and parents. He takes the schools to task for not being willing to bend, but acknowledges the political and social challenges institutional change involves. Most of all, Levine outlines a model that can forever improve our public thinking on education. I fully recommend "A Mind at a Time" by Mel Levine. Anthony Trendl
Rating:
Summary: You Will Be Grateful
Review: ... I am so grateful that I did! What a treat to find out that not only am I not alone in experiencing frustration and disappointment in my son's education, but that there is an answer. "The Child Whisperer" is full of simple tools that I use with my son at home - they help him to be better focused at school. "A Mind at a Time" has given me a new language to use when discussing my son's performance with his teacher and principal. I feel empowered for the first time and have seen a great change in the way my son feels about himself after a day at school. Get "A Mind at a Time" and "The Child Whisperer" for a new perspective on education.
Rating:
Summary: Filling the Gaps in Education
Review: Finally! Someone is addressing the critical gaps in eduacation and how we teach kids. They do not all learn the same and by utilizing Mr. Levine's resources we can give millions of kids a chance to succeed. We are using these techniques with a child in our family and they are making all the difference in her ability to accomplish what is required and feel good about her abilities. Every parent and teacher should be using this book. I also highly recommend Special Kids Need Special Parents by Judy Lavin. An excellent resource for anyone working with kids with special needs.
Rating: 
Summary: A key to understanding -- both self and child.
Review: This is a book, which addresses a particular struggle I've dealt with during much of my own life. Being more of an imaginative and dynamic learner, I continually asked the question of 'why' during school lessons. If I could not understand why the information was important I would resist learning it. Fortunately, this book address different styles of learning and how each type is particularly gifted. -- The vignettes of children who struggle with different leering situations is particularly helpful in being able to grasp the challenge different learners have. -- He challenges the increase in attention deficit disorder diagnosis. This is something I believe needs to be addressed and I'm glad to see that author contributing positively by criticizing this trend. Medication should never be prescribed to a child for simply displaying a different learning pattern. -- Since different minds learn differently, it would have been helpful if the author included a section on how to cultivate a child's learning strengths. That is, what areas, activities, and interests typically most appeal to children with a certain learning tendency? -- Of course the area of the book which allows parents to work around learning weaknesses is very helpful. Simply because a child is not strong in one area, does not mean that the child cannot grow in that area. -- In the end, it comes down to a parent's willingness to spend the time necessary to really get to know a child's strengths and weakness. This requires energy, willingness and attention, but in the end results in a child with confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
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