Dr. Thomas Armstrong is a noted psychologist, speaker and
consultant in learning and human development. He is the author of several
outstanding books on educational issues, in which he challenges many common
assumptions about learning.
His attractive site includes clear, insightful articles on such topics as
attention deficit disorder, labels, multiple intelligences, utopian schools,
creativity, and 39 kinds of giftedness. The site also offers descriptions of
available presentations and workshops, a complete list of his books (available in 15
languages), a list of related sites, and a site search engine. The article "50
Ways to Bring Out Your Child's Best" is especially interesting and useful for
attachment parenting families.
Dr. Armstrong believes that the ADD/ADHD concept "gets in the way of our
appreciating the wholeness of each child". In his compelling article
"Labels Can Last a Lifetime", he offers this helpful perspective:
"The traits that are associated with ADD - hyperactivity, distractibility,
and impulsivity - can result from a number of causes. For example, a child may be
hyperactive or inattentive because of being bored with a lesson, anxious about a
bully, upset about a divorce, allergic to milk, temperamental by nature, or a
hundred other things. Research suggests, though, that once adults have labeled and
medicated the child - and the medication works - these more complex questions are
all too often forgotten. By rushing to drugs and labels, we may be leaving more
difficult problems to fester under the surface."
Dr. Armstrong reminds us that "Every child is a genius. That doesn't mean
that every child can paint like Picasso, compose like Mozart, or score 150 on an
I.Q. test. But every child is a genius according to the original meanings of
the word 'genius,' which are: 'to give birth' (related to the word genesis)
and 'to be zestful or joyous,' (related to the word genial). Essentially, the
real meaning of genius is to 'give birth to the joy' that is within each child.
Every child is born with that capacity. Each child comes into life with wonder,
curiosity, awe, spontaneity, vitality, flexibility, and many other characteristics
of a joyous being... The biggest challenge for parents and teachers is to remove the
roadblocks that keep those gifts from being recognized, celebrated, and
nurtured."
Visit this informative site to learn more about nurturing every child's capacity
for joy and wonder.
www.thomasarmstrong.com
Books by Dr. Thomas Armstrong:
